A Tale of Two Gurus
Not so long ago, a middle-aged professor, born in Alberta, working in relative obscurity at the University of Toronto, unexpectedly transformed himself into a media sensation. His books started selling millions with two of them simultaneously occupying spots on bestseller lists. He became the subject of countless articles and a frequent guest of prominent media personalities trying to wrap their heads around what, exactly, this modern-day prophet from academia could tell us about a world that seemed as if it might soon unravel. Could this erudite man's theories and insights have ideas for keeping destructive societal forces at bay? Could he help us make sense of the chaos enveloping modern life? What if he's right about what the modern information age is doing to our brains?
I'm not talking about Jordan Peterson. I'm talking about Marshall McLuhan, an English professor who became the secular guru of his time, the late 1960s.
What qualities made McLuhan and his ideas such an intense subject of endless speculation and fascination? How do these qualities differ from the qualites that have done the same for Peterson? And What do these comparisons tell us about state of the world today? Well, let's take a look, shall we?
Comparison chart
| McLuhan | Peterson | |
|---|---|---|
| Academic job | English professor | Psychology professor |
| Academic interests | Literary, with influences from psychology | Psychology with influence from psychology |
| Best known as | A pioneer in media studies | A culture warrior |
| Biggest media jump | Literary world to TV | TV debate appearances to YouTube |
| Biggest concern | Electronic media will lead to civil strife | Wokism is destroying Western Civilization |
| First famous for | His books | Refusing to use pronouns |
| Major cultural influences | Ulysses, Finnegan's Wake | The Bible, Pinnochio |
| Famous phrases | "The medium is the message," "Global village" | "Clean your room", "Stand up straight with your shoulders back" |
| Appellation | "The prophet of the electronic revolution" | "Lobster Daddy" |
| Most controversial idea | "Hot" media vs. "Cool" media | Fat women are ugly |
| Disposition | Sober-minded, scholarly, objective | Choleric and opinionated with frequent bouts of weepiness |
| Had the ear of | Successful corporate marketing men | Depressed incels |
It would appear that the more things stay the same, the more they change.