Marshall McLuhan’s speculations on post-literate technology

Marshall McLuhan was well known for his almost prophetic speculations about technology, culture, and literacy. In the book The Gutenberg Galaxy, he thought about how newer forms of multimedia would affect traditional modes of literacy. At times, he described this interaction as being “caught between the Scylla of a literary culture and the Charybdis of post-literate technology” (1962, 77).

For instance, what happens if screen media, from TV to digital devices, ultimately displace most print media, such as books and newspapers? In other words, if the rise of screen media leads to a decline in print media, would our culture experience a corresponding decline in literacy, especially functional literacy?

Literate culture vs. post-literate technology

For context, functional literacy refers to the practical skill set needed to function in modern society. Comprehensive reading and mathematical reasoning, for example, are common indicators, and there are survey and test data that can act as proxies for how well a population is doing on such measures. Unfortunately, these indicators do show that some western countries are likely experiencing a decline in functional literacy. To illustrate, let’s look at the U.S.

• The U.S. continues to see a decline in reading among both kids and adults. That’s particularly true for deep reading, or leisurely perusing longer writings, such as books, in a slow and reflective way. In recent years, fewer than half of American adults have read at least one book in the last year. Meanwhile, average screen time has gone up disproportionately.
• Likewise, there has been a significant decline in the number of American adults capable of mathematical reasoning. In particular, many people in the U.S. struggle to evaluate the validity of statistical claims (such as misleading statements about health and diseases).

Maybe McLuhan would not have been surprised by this decline in literacy. He tended to see these sorts of social changes as consequences of technological changes. But are screen media truly to blame for the overall decline in literacy?

It all depends on the design of technology

Here’s where I may diverge from McLuhan’s thinking. Whenever we analyze the social consequences of technology, it’s not just the technology itself that matters in our analysis. The design and implementation of the technology also matter. For instance, when designed for learning (rather than for detrimental activity, like doomscrolling), screen media can support literacy.

Indeed, careful analyses show that when individuals use screens in active, mindful ways (as opposed to just passive consumption), the psychological effects of the technology are positive. What’s key is designing screen media in ways that nudge people toward edifying experiences, instead of mindless consumerism.

In this sense, we could interpret McLuhan’s thoughts about post-literate technology as a social challenge: a calling to design media in ways that help, not hinder, literacy.

References

McLuhan, Marshall. (1962). The Gutenberg Galaxy: The Making of Typographic Man. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.