A History of Communications
Media and Society from the Evolution of Speech to the Internet

A History of Communications advances a theory of media that explains the origins and impact of different forms of communication on human history.

Marshall T. Poe (Author)

9781107004351, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 6 December 2010

350 pages, 5 b/w illus. 5 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.4 cm, 0.68 kg

'The ambition and sweep of Marshall Poe's analysis of media make it different from anything else I have read on the topic. Many modern 'consumers' of media, in all its forms, have a vague sense that technological advances are altering their sense of the world in ways they can't fully appreciate in real time. Poe's book is a big advance in helping citizens understand the opportunities and problems the new media landscape offers.' James Fallows, The Atlantic

A History of Communications advances a theory of media that explains the origins and impact of different forms of communication - speech, writing, print, electronic devices and the Internet - on human history in the long term. New media are 'pulled' into widespread use by broad historical trends and these media, once in widespread use, 'push' social institutions and beliefs in predictable directions. This view allows us to see for the first time what is truly new about the Internet, what is not, and where it is taking us.

Introduction: media causes and effects
1. Homo loquens: humanity in the age of speech and memory
2. Homo scriptor: humanity in the age of manuscripts
3. Homo lector: humanity in the age of print
4. Homo videns: humanity in the age of the audio-visual media
5. Homo somnians: humanity in the age of Internet
Conclusion: the media and human well-being.

Subject Areas: Media studies [JFD], General & world history [HBG]