It is a matter of how you begin: if you begin with theory, then one way or another your research winds up geared to making the case for or against the truth of the theory. Begin with theory, you begin with the answer; begin with observation, you begin with questions. A theory always turns into a scientist’s point of view and a way of seeing the job at hand. Begin with observation and your task is to look at things and to look at what happens. To see.

—Eric McLuhan

The explorer is totally inconsistent. He never knows at what moment he will make some startling discovery. And consistency is a meaningless term to apply to an explorer. If he wanted to be consistent he would stay home.

—Marshall McLuhan

Above are two quotes that came to me via an essay by Callid Keefe-Perry, which was published recently in Cross Currents. They are by a father and son; Eric and Marshall McLuhan, both of whom I admire a great deal. Their work in media theory has been extremely helpful, beneficial  and important in my life.

These simple insights, which essentially are saying the same thing, connect with me in way that is remarkably intrinsic to the point that it mad me say ‘YES! That’s what I have always felt, but could never say’ (Don’t you just love those moments?) I have always thought of life as a journey and that I was an explorer discovering beautiful, and sometimes uncomfortable things, along the way. I think beginning with an observation instead of an assumption is a profound insight and one that is extremely important to keep in mind on our journeys.

Painting:
Phenomena Field Of Color, 1973 by Paul Jenkins
Synthetic polymer on canvas
60 1/8 x 113 7/8 in. (152.6 x 289.1 cm)

Tags:Callid Keefe-Perryeric mcluhanmarshall mcluhanmedia theory