GUTENBERG GALAXY Meaning and
Definition
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The term "Gutenberg galaxy" refers to a concept coined by Marshall McLuhan, a Canadian philosopher, cultural critic, and communication theorist. It refers to the profound changes that occurred in society and human consciousness with the invention and widespread use of the printing press, specifically after the introduction of movable type printing by Johannes Gutenberg in the 15th century.
The Gutenberg galaxy is characterized by a shift in communication patterns and modes of thought brought about by the mass production and dissemination of printed materials. With the printing press, information became easily reproducible and accessible to a larger audience, thereby transforming both the production and consumption of knowledge.
In the Gutenberg galaxy, McLuhan argues that print culture instigated a move from an oral and manuscript-dominated society to one that prioritizes linear, abstract, and individualistic thinking. The printed word became the dominant medium of communication, leading to standardization and centralization of information, as well as the development of a more individualistic and detached worldview.
McLuhan also highlights the impact of typography on human consciousness, emphasizing that the medium itself shapes the message and influences how people perceive and understand information. He believes that print created a detached and rationalist mode of thinking, favoring analysis, categorization, and specialization, while diminishing the importance of sensory and holistic understanding.
Overall, the Gutenberg galaxy represents the transformation of society, culture, and cognition brought about by the printing press, with its profound implications for knowledge production, dissemination, and people's ways of thinking and perceiving the world.
Etymology of GUTENBERG GALAXY
The term "Gutenberg galaxy" was created by the Canadian media theorist Marshall McLuhan in his book "The Gutenberg Galaxy: The Making of Typographic Man" published in 1962. McLuhan coined this phrase as a metaphor to describe the cultural and cognitive impact of Johannes Gutenberg's invention of the printing press in the 15th century.
The word "Gutenberg" in "Gutenberg galaxy" refers to Johannes Gutenberg, a German inventor who is credited with the invention of movable type printing press. Gutenberg's printing press revolutionized the production and dissemination of knowledge by making books more accessible, leading to a significant shift in human communication and culture.
The word "galaxy" in this phrase is used metaphorically to signify the diverse and interconnected universe of ideas, knowledge, and communication that emerged as a result of Gutenberg's printing press.
