A dictionary of Marshall McLuhan’s quotations

The oral man never asks for a blueprint. He never wants an over-all view. His but to feel he is a member of the team. The only possibility in an oral structure is a monarchical apex of control. Where the activities of many are to be orchestrated there can be only one conductor. But the more necessary the conductor the more expendable he becomes. The first job of a top executive today is to see to it that there are several who can succeed him instantly. They often do!
“The Organization Man”, Explorations 8, October (1957), unnumbered page “section 15”; the issue was later reprinted as Verbi-Voco-Visual, (1967), without pagination.
Year: 1957
↪ Also at #3644
Compiled by William Kuhns
© 2026, The Estate of Marshall McLuhan