Tetrad of Media

The 9th week is here, along with a new topic of the week.

Tetrad of Media

Tetrad of Media is a summary made by Marshall McLuhan about 'the effects of medium to a society' in the form of a diagram, as shown below. This diagram became widely used to study about various types of media. Lets take instant messaging services (SMS) as a medium example.

1. First of all, this medium serves as an extension of communications between individuals and it has vastly improved due to increasing demands for its convenience. Because it can transfer messages back and forth quickly, the usage of letters to send messages is becoming lesser and lesser since instant messaging can save lots of time.
   
2. Through instant messaging, it is easier for people to engage in conversations and this encourages the sense of conversation as well as the sense of socializing (although not through the face-to-face method). Yet still, this medium can also backfire upon the society if the medium is over extended. Even though instant messaging can connect people using electronic media, individuals will turn more seclusive due to the absence of the need to meet other individuals face-to-face.