Canadian Communication Thought Fall 2022

          Harold Adam Innis is an influential figure in the development of Canadian communication, as we all know Innis served in the first world war’s battle of Vimy Ridge until he was wounded. The battle of Vimy Ridge has been viewed to be a historical moment, as it was the defining moment of Canada becoming a sovereign nation and no longer existing under the authority of the British Empire. In relation to Innis’ main points in the bias of communication, time vs. space-biased media forms differ as time-biased media incorporates the idea of durability such as stone and clay since these are long-lasting and difficult to transport Innis believed in it promoting development. Speech was also a time-biased media for Innis included in his claim of it requiring face-to-face contact and the idea of knowledge being passed down through a lineage. Space-biased media is light and transportable such as paper, television, radio, and newspapers, however, the disadv...

  During class, we spent a vast amount of time discussing Harold Innis and his concepts of the bias of communication; time-bias and space-bias. The two concepts of time-bias and space-bias both concern the spread of stories, messages, and information, but are each unique to themselves. Time-bias relates to media which is created to send messages that can last for a long time but unfortunately can only reach limited audiences. Space-bias media, on the other hand, includes more modern forms of media such as television, newspapers, and radio. This bias can spread information to a significant amount of individuals without having distance as a factor. The problem with this bias is that it is usually short-lived and momentary.  The Canadian National Vimy Memorial which is located in France is dedicated to those who lost their lives during the battle. This historical artifact can fit into both categories of space and time-bias media. The monument itself is a form of time-bias media b...

Harold Innis’s concept of “the bias of communication” emphasizes how the medium of communication greatly shapes the distribution of knowledge over space and time (pg. 33). He suggests communicative mediums are influential in their cultural setting based on their affordances and ability to administer information. In particular, Innis defines mediums with time bias as heavy, durable, and not well-suited to be transported (pg. 33). This can include media such as clay and stone as they allow for information to be relatively long-lasting. Opposingly, space-biased mediums are described as light, easily transportable, and short-lived (pg. 33). These mediums are more capable of broadcasting across spatial barriers but lack permanence in time. Thus, space-biased mediums can include papyrus, newspaper, radio, and television. Therefore, I will apply Innis's concepts of space and time biases to the Government of Canada’s online virtual tour of the Vimy Ridge monument and CBC’s video on “Why th...

  According to Innis, space-biased media are more modern media that relay information to a mass audience and conquer far distances. Space-biased media is however more short-lived than time-biased media. Time-biased media can include media like stone tablets, manuscripts, or clay which are made to withstand time as they are more permanent or long-lasting. The media artifact that is more space-biased is the virtual tour of Vimy Ridge on the Government of Canada’s website. This virtual tour defies distance and enables those worldwide to see the memorial without having to be there physically. The photos and short clips of the monument are all more modern media that relay information to a mass audience as defined by Innis. At the same time, however, one could argue that these virtual tours have an aspect of time-biased media because it involves the monument itself which is time-biased. The combination of using space and time-biased media to create this virtual experience is what helps v...

  To apply Innis’s concepts of the bias of communication to media artifacts reflective of Vimy Ridge, one must first overlook the distinctions made between space and time biases. These are notions for understanding how a given culture values time and/or space as shown through communication. A space bias is one which is concerned of space, its expansion, movement and the use of symbols which reinforce these values. It is “communities that were not in place but in space, mobile…” (Carey, 160). A time bias on the other hand demonstrates an interest in history and permanence, while utilizing oral, religious and ritualistic symbols (160). Additionally, community holds a strong foundation through generations and tradition. The Vimy Memorial, as an example, and as depicted through CBC’s video, presents qualities of both space and time bias. Through its physical representation of growth and control in space in one way, and through its historical meaning and the acknowledgement of the event...

According to Innis, space and time bias media remains critical for communication channels and the transcendence of information. Innis says that space bias refers to media that has the capacity to be transported over long distances and lasts only a short time. Radio, television, and newspapers fall under this category. On the other hand time bias remains to be culture artifacts and documents, stone tablets, and various communication pieces that cannot be shared across vast distances and can only be viewed and used locally by those in the immediate vicinity. I feel that both the video and online web page incorporate time and space bias media. The video and website remain space biased since anyone in the world is able to view the information and remaining artifacts from Vimy Ridge, allowing them an insight into what happened and its significance. Additionally, it reflects time bias, since the Canadian National Vimy Ridge Monument still has many artifacts intact, including the morning stat...

We have spent an extensive amount of time in class discussing the work of Harold Innis, specifically the bias of communication. He divides media into separate concepts of time-binding and space-binding media; time-binding media is more durable and includes clay/stone tablets, printed manuscripts, and verbal sources. Space-binding media is more ephemeral and includes modern media, such as television, radio and mass-produced newspapers. While applying Innis’ concepts to the CBC video ‘Why The Battle of Vimy Ridge Matters,” I would argue that this video is an example of both space and time-bias media. Since the video was produced by CBC, it has the ability to reach a wide mass audience, making this media space biased; television is also a space bias medium. However, I believe it can also be interpreted as time biased because of the developments in technology. Time bias media lasts for multiple generations; the internet and social media allow us access to any information whenever we want. ...

In class we have spent a long time talking about Harold Innis and his various concepts, one of which was the bias of communication. Within this, he brings up time-biased and space-biased media forms. Time-biased media are durable and emphasize control over time. Whereas, space-biased are more long lasting and have the ability to reach a wider audience.  Each year thousands of tourists from around the world visit the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France and it is here where they are able to walk through the tunnels and trenches. What was once filled with mud, disease, and horror has now been reinforced with concrete and preserved so tourists can walk where the heroic soldiers once did. On the back of a backpack trekker, Google Streetview has gained access to the winding trenches and tunnels at Vimy Ridge. Google Streetview is a function that allows any user the ability to drag and drop themselves anywhere in the world. This example is a combination of space-biased and time-bias...

Innis's concepts of the bias of communication practices and media forms - By Sarah Humphreys The definition of an artifact is an object made by a human being, including but not limited to items such as textiles, tools, and art. An essential element to the definition of the word is that it is an object made by a human being in any space and at any time. It is with such definition, that a connection can be made to the Canadian scholar, Harold Innis, and his concept of the bias of communication practices and media forms. For this blog post, the task is to view two media artifacts on Vimy Ridge to aid in remembering the importance of the historical event. The two media artifacts utilized were web-based platforms, a video from CBC, and the other, information pages from the Canadian National Vimy Memorial website. The viewed media artifacts provided a rich history of the horrific battle between allied forces against the axis power of Germany. A four-day battle was fought and won by the A...

Definitions Before diving into the specifics of the artifacts and their corresponding media forms it is important to highlight the meaning of each media form (time-biased, space-biased). Time biased media are intended to carry stories and messages that last for many generations, but tend to reach limited audiences. Space biased media forms on the other hand are very ephemeral. Essentially, space biased media forms convey information to many people over long distances, but have short exposure times. I always look at these two media forms from a dialogue vs dissemination perspective. In my eyes time biased media is in a sense dialogue and space biased media is dissemination (let me know if you agree or disagree!). Let’s now look into what media forms relate to what media artifacts. The CBC Video For this media form I was back and forth on whether it was space or time biased. I ultimately came to the conclusion that there is a bit of both incorporated into this video. Let me explain. The ...

       Looking at Innis's bias of communication, he distinguishes time bias and space bias. Time bias can be seen as transportable and long-lasting media such as clay and stone or oral communication. At the same time, space bias is more ephemeral and includes modern media like radio and television. Both are interrelated and affect the form of communication on content. Applying these theories to the two media artifacts, I would argue that they are both time and space biases. I understand that Innis believes it can only be one or the other. However, with the advancements in technology and modern-day society, I would argue they are both. For example, both platforms have the ability to reach mass audiences with their platform. CBC has 1.83 million subscribers (plus other non-subscribers can watch the video), and the government of Canada website is an official government website available to anyone. Therefore, the spread of information can be looked at as an expansion. Me...

  "We choose what we see about our past." I chose the above quote from one of the historians in the CBC's Video "Why Vimy Ridge Matters" because it encapsulates the central themes discussed in the video, symbolized on the monuments' webpage and provides an entry point for applying Harrold Innis' theories of space and time biased media. Defining Theory  According to James Carey's interpretation of Innis' theory, Time bias refers to a culture's interest in time; history, stability and permanence of ideas, symbols and traditions inform future generations are creating close ties within a rooted culture (Carrey, 162). On the other hand, space bias refers to a culture's interest in space, areas bound to a culture's innate identity. This identity derives from the discovery and creation of symbolic representations of culture that endure and grow in the minds of people within culture despite vast distances of separation (162). The "bias...

As a personal aside, before I apply Innis' concepts of the biases of communication practices and media forms to these two texts I would like to share a personal story of my time spent at the Vimy Ridge memorial monument. In the Summer of 2018 I was lucky enough to visit the monument with my family. This moment turned out to be one of the most emotional in my life as my dad explained the story of two brothers in my family tree that died during the war effort in France. Robert George Gowanlock of the Canadian Infantry 2nd Bn., and James Laidlaw Gowanlock of the Canadian Infantry 116th Bn., aged 28 and 30 respectively. These were my grandfathers uncles and just two of the countless men and women involved in Canada's first World War effort that saw Canada emerge as a force to be reckoned with globally. Robert George is commemorated at the Vimy memorial and after seeing our last name alongside the thousands of other Canadians on a beautiful monument in a tiny piece of Canadian land ...

The monument and memory of the battle of Vimy Ridge is an iconic one in the history of Canadian identity. When analyzing the monument of Vimy Ridge, one's first instinct is to assume that it is a time biased media. This is because it is a solid structure made of concrete and steel that has already survived many decades. However, I would argue that the Vimy Ridge memorial shifts more towards being space biased rather than time biased. The reason for that is because the memorial ties into the narrative that Canadian history started when European contact was made, which is a very space biased way of viewing the history of Canada. The land that we now know as Canada has had Indigenous people living on it for thousands of years. When Europeans discovered the land and started to colonize it, they created a narrative that Canada's history began when they arrived. This narrative can be seen in the video "Why the Battle of Vimy Ridge Matters," as they emphasize the importance ...

  Hi everyone!             This week, we were told we could post something related to course material that we found interesting. When Innis mentioned the time of Plato and the argument about the balance between the spoken word and writing, Plato’s dialogue Phaedrus came to mind. Plato’s argument revolves around two types of love for most of the dialogue, the discussion revolves around the idea that a relationship in which you aren’t in love is better than the one you are. Phaedrus delivers Lysias’  speech to Socrates, however, Phaedrus gives us more by revealing the transition from orality to literacy in society and the effects of the development of new communication technologies. According to Socrates, there is a problem with writing since you can’t engage with it, it prevents learning, and there are limitations since the written word can’t be understood by all because words cannot explain or defend themselves. Socrates values the spoken w...

For this week's discussion board entry, we have been tasked with identifying a piece of the course content that we found specifically interesting. Recently in this course, the work of Liam Cole Young on "Innis’s Infrastructure: Dirt, Beavers, and Documents in Material Media Theory" has been of great interest to me, as I feel that it provides an interesting account of the economic development of our nation. Young is particularly focused on the development of communication infrastructure, which in modern scholarly work can be seen as "logistical supply chains, urban environments, and digital labour" (Young, p. 227). However, in Innis's era of work in the field or "dirt research," these systems of infrastructure came to be through the export and frequent trade of Canadian staples such as furs, timber, fish, and mined minerals, to name a select few. A quote that really stuck with me is "The beaver was the vessel, the medium, by which Innis grasped...

 For this week's discussion post I chose to further analyze the medium theory and its impacts on space and time bias media, discussed by Harold Innis. The medium of communication plays a crucial role in our everyday lives, as what people think and what they think about is altered by the medium form they use. I find this quite interesting because Innis emphasizes the importance of both time and space-biased media to appropriately balance a society, and the internet has created a new medium that impacts this stance. In this new medium, the internet/web greatly impacts the importance of time and space bias because it is a highly individualized medium. Due to the internet and its platform's ubiquitous nature, the importance of time and space bias has been greatly impacted. The internet is a mass medium that is used by individuals across the globe. It facilitates the exchange of information globally, extending meaning across distances to help disseminate information, favouring spac...

 Innis has previously expressed that he has read very few novels and has had minimal interest in reading about culture and its various aspects. He would much rather experience culture and understand it from a personal living perspective. He was an individual who would involve himself with agencies which would result in him helping to fund cultural and intellectual Canadian organizations. In Charles Acland’s “Histories of Place and Power- Innis in Canadian Cultural Studies”, he states that through Innis’s cultural essays he expresses both how the counterweight of time and the function of the intellectual move alongside that of the harsh critique of modernity. Innis believes that Canada's culture came from and was shaped by a vast amount of “staple” goods it had, such as fur, fish, wood, wheat, etc. By having all of these essential needs it made Canada a country on which other nations can depend on for exports. Nevertheless, these staples wouldn't have been known without the help...

  This week we were instructed to share any course material that we found interesting. One quote that stood out to me from the course was “The development of ‘mechanized’ communications media such as mass-circulation newspapers had shifted the balance decisively in favour of space and power, over time, continuity and knowledge.” (Innis, 1951). When we talked about this quote in class we discussed new media creating an obsession with ‘present mindedness’ which disregards our concerns for the past or future. This remark made me remember a conversation I had in my course Social Media and Social Life where we discussed social media as being a platform where everyone is obsessed with showing what they are doing at the moment whether that be posting stories, sending Snapchats, posting on your timeline or even now using the new social media app BeReal. In this class, we also discussed how social media allows users to know what’s going on at that moment. Twitter was the main example discus...

 In "The Bias of Communication", Innis says something that I think relates very much to the current state of our political debates and news broadcasts. He says that "An interest in the bias of other civilizations may in itself suggest a bias of our own." The mainstream media that we consume everyday tends to be either very left leaning or very right leaning. The left wing points out the problems with the right wing and the right wing points out the problems with the left wing, but neither seem aware of their own biases. Channels like Fox News or Ben Shapiro try to act like they are presenting hard facts, while presenting these facts in a way that is extremely one-sided. An example of this would be a Ben Shapiro video that is entitled "Mutilating Children is Now Big Business (This is Pure Evil)." The title uses the term "mutilating children" instead of something more neutral and accurate such as "gender reassignment surgery for minors." ...

 Hi everyone, I struggled to interpret Ennis directly but found Menahem Blondheim’s “The Significance of Communication According to Harold Adam Innis” and James Carey’s peace the most accessible of the readings to interpret his theory. For this post, I will focus on two of the five elements, medium theory and space bias, and apply my understanding of them to accessible examples. I hope that by applying contemporary ideas to these theories, I will help grow my understanding and aid other classmates who learn through examples as I do! Medium theory contends that communication media is not simply characterized by transmitted messages between sets of technology and then deciphered by audiences. It also considers the medium and its cultural setting as a part of the messages it transmits. Space bias, according to Carrey, concerns itself with the influence of space on the communicative practices of a medium. A modern example that both theories could apply to would be the influence of ...

Harold Innis - Time-biased & Space-biased - By Sarah Humphreys During class so far, we have spoken a lot about Harold Innis, and in particular, Innis' "Bias of Communication," time-biased, and space-biased media have stood out to me. Innis claimed that every medium form has a bias. In the lectures from these last weeks, it has been made evident that time-biased media consist of long-lasting, durable mediums that can be transported, such as clay or stone tablets. Another type of time-biased media is oral communication, and it is used to pass down traditions, customs, and values to new generations. Space-biased media, including radio and television, is considered portable, light, and ephemeral. In the reading "The Bias of Communication" by Harold Innis, chapter 4 mentions how Innis emphasized that to achieve a stable society, there must be a balance of both time-biased and space-biased. Harold Innis studied the rise and fall of empires while exploring communic...

 For this weeks blog post I wanted to go back and talk more about Harold Innis. We have talked a lot about Innis so far this semester and particularly his work with the staples thesis. This thesis holds that Canada's culture and political history/economy has been shaped by the exploitation and export of our national "staples" namely fish, timber, and furs, as well as mined minerals and fossil fuels. In the reading titled, ' Empire and Communication' Innis talks about how each staple came to prominence. Cod fisheries were being exploited on the east coast, the Hudson's Bay Company held a firm monopoly over the fur trade, the discovery of gold on the west coast led to rapid increase in settlement and the exhaustion of the mines, and western Canada became concentrated on agricultural products such as wheat (Innis, p. 24). He goes on to say that our intense focus on exporting each of these staples to highly industrialized areas such as Europe and the US led to maj...

Given the independent nature of this week's post I will be discussing a perspective from Berland in relation to her critical theory after Innis. I found this reading particularly interesting because it focuses heavily on the idea of space and how groups cannot be considered as such without the development of ideas, values or representations that results in a particular constitution. One quote that made me reflect on today’s media was this: “Control of information technology shapes the parameters of communications, knowledge, and memory, and determines the proximity to and nature of power itself” (Berland, 76). One aspect of communication that contributes to the nature of power and space is music as media. Music is something that communicates emotion and produces nostalgic effects that associate with different aspects of individual lives. It has become increasingly effective in producing space as popular music is increasingly used in advertising and marketing campaigns to connect wi...

  This week we are able to freely communicate about any concepts/course material that we find particularly interesting. In saying that there was one quote that immediately grabbed my attention in relation to time biased versus space biased media/communication. The reason I became attached to this particular quote is because it is very relevant in today’s day and age. Harold Innis famously said “Improvements in communication…make for increased difficulties in understanding.” This quote reminded me of a prevalent conversation we had in CS 204 with Dr. Nicholas Ray. In that class we talked a lot about dialogue versus dissemination. Dialogue being one on one communication and dissemination being one person to a larger audience. Each communication form has its pros and cons; dissemination has larger reach but less understanding, dialogue has less reach but more understanding. This is almost exactly what Innis is saying in his quote. With modern technology anyone has the ability to disse...

Hi everyone! This past week it has been interesting to get into the McLuhan readings, to learn about his educational past, his work and how it continues to hold an impact on communication studies. In the introduction to Essential McLuhan, the familiarity of the mentioned ‘global village’ and ‘medium over the message’, acted as a refresher as well as his key values revolving around media and how underlying social structure and meaning are seemingly concealed by its processes. Additionally, in the “Letter to Harold Adams Innis,” the concept of ‘collective consciousness’ was brought up. My attention was drawn to this because we have been discussing this in both my Internet Studies and Advertising Studies class in the way that media encourages and anticipates a shared understanding of certain societal norms by a wide range of people. McLuhan says “the whole tendency of modern communication…is towards participation in a process, rather than apprehension of concepts” (73), which I think spea...

For this week's blog post, we were directed to discuss anything we've read/ talked about in class thus far. Therefore, I will be talking about Harold Innis' bias in communication. His central claims revolve around the medium of communication having a substantial influence on the spread of knowledge over space and over time that is embedded in culture (Innis 33). Regarding organization and control, each medium has a bias. This is interesting to me as it is one of Innis' primary contributions to communication studies. He classifies time-binding media as clay or stone tablets and space-binding media as more modern-day media such as tv, radio etc. It is the literal character of space and time. The purpose of clay and stone tablets is to illustrate stories and messages generation after generation. However, they only reach a limited audience. On the other hand, TV and radio will do the opposite and reach a mass audience, but will not last long in time. For example, look at ne...