VIDEODROME: An extension of McLuhan

-- In what way does Videodrome create visual metaphors for McLuhan's theory that technology and media are extensions of our bodies and minds? In what way does the film imagistically realize McLuhan's theory that viewers themselves are screens upon which television is projected? Think of Max Renn's mental and corporeal transformations.

VIDEODROME was a wonderfully abnormal film, which in many ways depicts and furthers McLuhan's theory on technology being an extension of our bodies and minds. As McLuhan eloquently states:

"Any invention or technology is an extension or self amputation of our physical bodies, and such extension also demands new ratios or new equilibriums among the other organs and extensions of the body. There is, for example, no way of refusing to comply with the new sense ratios or sense 'closure' evoked by the TV image."

This example he gives, can be seen through many visual metaphors throughout the movie. Max Renn, the protagonist of the film, "suffers" the effects of watching the transmissions of VIDEODROME. Due to this he starts hallucinating, and adapting to the media around him by becoming more susceptible to others thoughts. This specifically is shown when Barry Convex introduces a VHS tape into Max's abdominal cavity, during the latter part of the film. Max seems to automatically "ingest" the information on the VHS tape, complying with its message without hesitation. Later we see Bridey introduce her own VHS tape, and Max once again is helpless, changing his objective to concur with those of Bridey. Another visual example comes when Max inserts a handgun into his abdominal area, which later becomes an extension of his body.

This idea propagated by McLuhan, in which the viewers are screens upon which television is projected are shown through the examples given above. The insertion of the VHS tapes, almost transforms Max metaphorically into a television. The media we consume, through different venues are transmitted to expose us to an array of thoughts and ideas. In many instances, on a sub-conscience level these ideas transform and become our own. 

The line which separates the reality created by television and that which surrounds us seems to become more of a blur as time passes and technology becomes more advanced. The extent in which Max is transformed may seem farfetched, but it serves as a metaphorical depiction of where we may be heading.