Blog Post #2 - Jenny Joo

According to Innis, “space bias” is the bias of communication to spread geographically and “time bias” is the bias of communication to last over time that creates a sense of permanence and continuity. Innis argued that different forms of communication have different biases, with oral communication and writing having a space bias, and printed media having a time bias, and these biases have caused societies to develop in different ways. He argued that oral communication favoured small communities and decentralized power while writing and printing favoured larger, centralized societies. He also argued that these biases have caused different cultures to develop different values and beliefs. Innis believed that this space-and-time communication bias significantly impacted the development of societies and cultures.

In the film, Pontypool, a mysterious virus starts to spread around a small town in Ontario. The video on YouTube provides a radio version of the film by narrating the situation. Listening to the audio, it felt as if I was listening to a real radio station that is broadcasting the spread of the virus. The infection in the film was spread through the English language and the virus affects the way people think and speak, turning them into violent zombies. The virus is spread when people hear certain words or phrases, and Grant Mazzy, the host of the radio, puts the pieces together throughout the video. 

Based on the circumstances of the virus, the infection of the language virus is an example of both space and time bias. According to Innis, speech is a time-biased medium. Oral communication can be accomplished only by word of mouth, which is the main focus of the virus in the film. However, when speech is considered an infection, it is also considered a space-biased medium. The virus can be easily transported to a different location since the English language is spoken by hundreds of other countries in the world. 

Radio, telephone, and electronic amplification play an important part in sustaining the virus in the film. These forms of media help us stay connected with others and communicate better regardless of our location. 


Jenny Joo

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