Joel Hamersley
Author's posts
Apr 16
The Solidity of Words
Have you ever stopped to think about what gives words their weight? They’re the tools we use to convey thoughts, feelings, and ideas. But they’re not just fleeting sounds or scribbles on a page. Let’s take a closer look at why words are more substantial than we might realize. At first glance, it’s easy to …
Apr 01
Silent Films
During the golden age of cinema, before synchronized sound became the norm, silent movies captivated audiences in ways that modern films often overlook. Rather than passive viewing experiences, silent films were interactive and engaging, drawing viewers into the storytelling process. Firstly, without spoken dialogue, silent films relied on intertitles, which are text snippets that convey …
Mar 25
Manuscript vs. Print Culture
Marshall McLuhan has emerged as one of the most important contributors in the field of communication theories. His concepts have shaped the way we perceive media and culture, especially in terms of how various mediums affect our interaction and interpretation. An interesting point he brings up is related to contrasting manuscript or pre-print culture with …
Feb 27
Egyptians’ Influence on Medium
Lipson’s insightful exploration of how the medium of stone significantly influenced the trajectory of ancient Egyptian art provides a compelling lens through which to examine the pivotal role of materials in shaping artistic expression. This reflection extends seamlessly into the contemporary realm of digital media, where the material aspects of the computer exert a profound …
Feb 27
Modern Age of Language in Printed or Written Form.
McLuhan’s idea that folks in print-heavy societies mostly link language with its written form offers a deep insight into how media affects our thinking. In places where printed stuff like books and newspapers rule, people tend to see language as something fixed and written down. We grow up learning to read and write, so it’s …
Feb 13
Phaedrus
Plato’s critique of writing, as compared to painting, revolved around the notion that both mediums create a semblance of life but cannot engage in dialogue or respond to questions. This criticism arose from his concern that written words, once inscribed, become static and unable to adapt to the dynamic nature of conversation or question. However, …
Feb 06
Text vs Reader
Wolfgang Iser, a significant figure in literary topics, explains a concept regarding the interaction between text and reader: the transmission of meaning occurs in two corresponding ways. The reader takes meaning from the text in the first form of transmission. The reader gets a sense of the text’s message by the language, structure, and stylistic …
Jan 30
Language and Reasoning
Language serves as a profound instrument that not only facilitates communication but also shapes the very essence of human cognition. The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, also known as linguistic relativity, posits that the language we speak fundamentally influences how we perceive the world and how we reason about it. This concept highlights the intricate relationship between language …