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About this quote

What does it mean?
The press has a huge, all‑encompassing influence on what people can perceive.
In plain terms
The media shapes what we can see.
What can you take from it?
Be aware of media power.

Where it applies

  • reading news
  • consuming social media

Putting it to work

  • critical media literacy
  • seeking diverse sources

Questions to consider

  • How does media shape your worldview?
  • What can you do to see beyond its reach?

Another view

The quote is vague about how this influence works.

More from Thomas Carlyle

  1. Whoso belongs only to his own age, and reverences only its gilt Popinjays or smoot-smeared Mumbojumbos, must needs die with it.

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  2. All work is as seed sown; it grows and spreads, and sows itself anew.

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  3. Aesop's Fly, sitting on the axle of the chariot, has been much laughed at for exclaiming: What a dust I do raise!

    Permalink to quote #22

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