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Language, media, and the concept of a machine : toward a unified theory of communication in history

This thesis is focused upon the development of the computer as a communication medium in history. To accomplish this, the computer is understood as constructed by language and technology where these are in turn grounded upon their roles as forms of cultural mediation. As methodology is of paramount importance, the digital medium is heuristically employed to discuss the epistemic and phenomenological significance of communications media. The more general inference therefore concerns the role of socially constructed media in the fabric of cultural development. In addressing this concern, the paper finds that communications media stand as the repositories of knowledge in the form of artificial memory and figurative technique. The computer then, as a medium in history, may arguably be declared as a paradigmatic instantiation of this role.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:QMM.39778
Date January 1992
CreatorsDevon, Terrence J. (Terrence John)
ContributorsCrowley, David (advisor)
PublisherMcGill University
Source SetsLibrary and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeElectronic Thesis or Dissertation
Formatapplication/pdf
CoverageDoctor of Philosophy (Graduate Communications Program.)
RightsAll items in eScholarship@McGill are protected by copyright with all rights reserved unless otherwise indicated.
Relationalephsysno: 001325976, proquestno: NN87595, Theses scanned by UMI/ProQuest.

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