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About this quote

What does it mean?
Humans are influenced by the tools they create, and those tools in turn change how humans think and behave.
In plain terms
What we look at changes us, and our tools change how we act.
What can you take from it?
Our tools and what we focus on shape our behavior and identity.

Where it applies

  • technology adoption
  • media studies
  • self reflection

Putting it to work

  • evaluate tool usage
  • reflect on media consumption
  • consider design impact

Questions to consider

  • What tools are currently shaping your daily behavior?
  • How might your tools change if you altered your habits?

Another view

It assumes humans have no independent will outside of tool influence.

More from Marshall McLuhan

  1. Money is the poor man's credit card. (1964)

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  2. There are no remote places. Under instant circuitry, nothing is remote in time or in space. It's now. (1965)

    Permalink to quote #59

  3. In the electric age we wear all mankind as our skin. (1964)

    Permalink to quote #56

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