Can You Hear Me Now?
Sherry Turkle
This article was very interesting to me because it reminded me of how dependent I really am on technology. Without stopping to think about the myriad of technological devices we all use from day to day one can forget just how enthralled they are with their gadgets and gizmos.
I don't always stop to think about the cell phone always being within arm reach, or the GPS system for which I have become embarrassingly dependent upon, or the commonplace of daily conversations with family and friends being interrupted by emails and phone calls. With all of the options we have now, as Turkle explains, we have the world and all of its inhabitants within a click of a button or mouse. If ever I am having a debate or discussion the facts can be "Googled" or if I have a question about anything I can "Ask Jeeves". There is very little left to the contemplation or imagination anymore. If you have a friend across the world, without much thought given, except to calculate the time zones, you can Skype them and have a real time conversation.
All of these technologies have created a very impatient society - a society that has access to just about whatever their imagination can invent. How much contemplation do we really do anymore? What would life look like, even to the "technologically disadvantaged"?
How does our technological society affect children and teenagers according to Turkle?
According to the author, Turkle, cell phones void a sense of independence in children and teenagers. When once a teen had the moment of true freedom from their parents they now have cell phones and their parents are just a "speed dial" away. If ever they have a dilemma or question, all they need to do is call and the help is on the other line.
How are people becoming more alienated?
With access to each other, information, and entertainment at our fingertips we are becoming less and less dependent on each other. Everywhere you turn people are obsessed with their Blackberries, email, Facebook pages, and GPS. Where conversation used to be of value people are now turning to various technological tools for entertainment, connection to other people and in some cases living multiple existences. People are buried in their computers often missing out on human conversation and interaction therefore becoming more and more alienated.
Sherry Turkle
This article was very interesting to me because it reminded me of how dependent I really am on technology. Without stopping to think about the myriad of technological devices we all use from day to day one can forget just how enthralled they are with their gadgets and gizmos.
I don't always stop to think about the cell phone always being within arm reach, or the GPS system for which I have become embarrassingly dependent upon, or the commonplace of daily conversations with family and friends being interrupted by emails and phone calls. With all of the options we have now, as Turkle explains, we have the world and all of its inhabitants within a click of a button or mouse. If ever I am having a debate or discussion the facts can be "Googled" or if I have a question about anything I can "Ask Jeeves". There is very little left to the contemplation or imagination anymore. If you have a friend across the world, without much thought given, except to calculate the time zones, you can Skype them and have a real time conversation.
All of these technologies have created a very impatient society - a society that has access to just about whatever their imagination can invent. How much contemplation do we really do anymore? What would life look like, even to the "technologically disadvantaged"?
How does our technological society affect children and teenagers according to Turkle?
According to the author, Turkle, cell phones void a sense of independence in children and teenagers. When once a teen had the moment of true freedom from their parents they now have cell phones and their parents are just a "speed dial" away. If ever they have a dilemma or question, all they need to do is call and the help is on the other line.
How are people becoming more alienated?
With access to each other, information, and entertainment at our fingertips we are becoming less and less dependent on each other. Everywhere you turn people are obsessed with their Blackberries, email, Facebook pages, and GPS. Where conversation used to be of value people are now turning to various technological tools for entertainment, connection to other people and in some cases living multiple existences. People are buried in their computers often missing out on human conversation and interaction therefore becoming more and more alienated.
1 comment:
I also like Dr. Turkle's research. She has published numerous articles and books about lives on the Internet, especially identity issues. If you're interested, check out her work.
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