John Culkin ( 1967 ) summed up McLuhan's position with the quote, " we shape our tools and thereafter they shape us ", suggesting a transactional approach to media . " This statement from Strate would define McLuhan and Media Ecology as " soft determinism " opposed to " hard determinism " with the difference being that " hard determinism " indicates that changes to society happen with no input or control from the members of that society, whereas " soft determinism " would argue that the changes are pushed by technology but free will and agency of the members of society ultimately have a chance to influence the outcome.
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John Culkin ( 1967 ) summed up McLuhan's position with the quote, " we shape our tools and thereafter they shape us ", suggesting a transactional approach to media . " This statement from Strate would define McLuhan and Media Ecology as " soft determinism " opposed to " hard determinism " with the difference being that " hard determinism " indicates that changes to society happen with no input or control from the members of that society, whereas " soft determinism " would argue that the changes are pushed by technology but free will and agency of the members of society ultimately have a chance to influence the outcome.
