In response to Fei's Understanding Media: The extension of Man

I agree with Yifei that the definition of hot and cold media given by McLuhan is ambiguous.
McLuhan has distinguished hot and cold media with two charecterstics:
1) Level of Definition
2) Participation of audience

I think 'level of definition' is no longer a valid characteristic because now almost all mediums can cater relatively high level of definitions. It is up to the creator to decide how much information should be provided and how much should be left for the audience to fill in.

Level of participation is surely a valid charecterstic in defining hot and cold media.

I like the part where McLuhan says poets were far ahead of Newton in their response to the challenge of the clock. If we look back in history, all what we have now was thought up by some poet at some time. These creative souls(poets, artists, musicians, writers etc.) think up the future which is later implemented by scientists and engineers.