Something From Nothing: Seeking a Sense of Self

The document explored the relationship between communication and the sense of self, using Phoebe Gilman's children's book "Something From Nothing" as a metaphorical framework. The story of a tailor who continually repurposes a piece of fabric for his grandson illustrates the dual meaning of "material" as both physical substance and communication content. This metaphor highlights how communication, like fabric, is woven from the raw materials of human experience, emphasizing that both common sense and scientific knowledge are grounded in physical reality. The document suggested that understanding the materiality of communication naturally leads to the study of media, echoing Marshall McLuhan's idea that "the medium is the message."