According to Harold Innis, communication media shape how societies understand space, time, and history. He explained that certain media platforms have a time bias, which means they support the long-term preservation of culture and memory. Others have a space bias, meaning they spread knowledge over large geographic areas while frequently emphasizing the present over the past. Using Innis’s ideas, the CBC video “Why the Battle of Vimy Ridge Matters” and the Government of Canada website about the Canadian National Vimy Memorial show a combination of both time bias and space bias.
The CBC film "Why the Battle of Vimy Ridge Matters" primarily reflects space bias. As a broadcast and digital media artifact, it quickly transmits information to a large national audience. The documentary communicates the importance of the war to current viewers through narration and visual storytelling, connecting the event to contemporary concepts of Canadian identity. The use of new media formats allows for a modern version of the historical narrative. However, the Government of Canada's website about the Canadian National Vimy Memorial has a stronger time bias. The memorial itself serves as a symbolic site of remembrance, aiming to preserve the memory of the conflict and the soldiers who fought in it. The website contributes to this purpose by providing historical context and underlining the value of commemoration and national memory.
Overall, these two media artifacts demonstrate how time and space-biased modes of communication connect. The memorial and accompanying information retain Vimy Ridge's historical significance over time, whereas the CBC video conveys that remembrance across space using current media. Together, they show how communication practices impact collective memory and contribute to the development of Canadian national identity.
ReplyDeleteI thought your explanation of time bias and space bias was really clear, especially when you compared the CBC documentary with the memorial itself. It made me realize that most people our age probably learn about Vimy and other historical events through media like videos or websites rather than visiting the monument. In that sense, space-biased media might actually play a bigger role in shaping how younger generations remember the battle.