McLuhan Collage

This collage, created in Photoshop, demonstrates McLuhan's concepts of "content" and "messages" in a specific example of a modern medium, massive multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs). Some of the most basic content of these video games include graphics, audio and computer programming. These are demonstrated in the images of the game characters, sound waves and binary code. To demonstrate a message, the binary code is rather subtly blended in to the background. This emphasizes how invisible such technically raw aspects of video games appear to their audiences compared to the user-friendly interfaces composed of enthralling graphics and sounds.

Many other messages are demonstrated in this collage, too. The graphical characters also represent the idea of representing oneself digitally. The sense of identity established between the users and characters is additionally symbolized by the fingerprint. Therefore, the characters function as extensions of the users' selves because they serve as representations of the users, and are controlled by the users. Hence, the hand holding the controller in front of the door demonstrates how MMORPGs open a digital door to another world--a world in which users can explore and exist as representations of themselves. This world exploration is expressed through the game terrain and map blended together within the doorway. The characters' are positioned partially behind the doorway, as if to beckon the user to play. This represents how addicting millions of MMORPG users find these games to be. Also, the earth and the mouse-covered handshake symbolize the global connections established in these online environments, and how world-wide social interaction is only a mouse click away.