A history of communications : media and society from the evolution of speech to the Internet / Marshall T. Poe.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Poe, Marshall.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Communication--Social aspects.

Communication.

Digital media--Social aspects.

Digital media.

Physical Description:

xi, 337 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2011.

Summary:

"Communications and Humanity advances a new theory of media that explains the origins and impact of different forms of communication - speech, writing, print, electronic devices, and the Internet - on human history in the long term. New media are "pulled" into widespread use by broad historical trends and these media, once in widespread use, "push" social institutions and beliefs in predictable directions. This view allows us to see for the first time what is truly new about the Internet, what is not, and where it is taking us"--Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Introduction : media causes and effects

Homo loquens : Humanity in the age of speech

Homo scriptor : humanity in the age of manuscripts

Homo lector : humanity in the age of print

Homo videns : humanity in the age of the audio-visual media

Homo somnians : humanity in the age of Internet

Conclusion : the media and human well-being.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780521179447

0521179440

OCLC:

654814380