Appraisal Quote by Harold Innis
“The significance of a basic medium to its civilization is difficult to appraise since the means of appraisal are influenced by the media, and indeed the fact of appraisal appears to be peculiar to certain types of media. A change in the type of medium implies a change in the type of appraisal and hence makes it difficult for one civilization to understand another.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Bias of Communication, 1951
The tools we use shape how we evaluate cultures, making cross‑cultural understanding hard.
In simple terms: Medium influences judgment.
Key Takeaway
Adapt appraisal methods.
Themes
communication
culture
evaluation
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
academic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- anthropology
- international relations
- media analysis
Key Concepts
media theory
cultural studies
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we fairly compare societies with different media?
- What standards work across media types?
A Different Perspective
Different media demand different criteria.
