I like the perspective Sherry Turkle is able to give on these issues of communication and technology. As a trained psychologist, she says she places "...high value on relationships of intimacy and authenticity" (pg. 6), and is then able to look at the way we are moving more and more towards using robots instead of humans for intimacy, work, and even love. I think she brings up a good point that as much as everyone wants to be connected to someone or something all the time, we are devaluing what being alone by ourselves can do to help us.
The introduction of Alone Together brings up some shocking and concerning examples of the way we are no longer using technology, we are being controlled by it. She talks about a mother who told the story of going to the apartment of someone she was interviewing for a baby sitting job. When the roommate of the applicant answered the door and the mother asked her to go knock on her door, the roommate responded "I would never do that. That would be intrusive. I'll text her" (pg. 2). Turkle then continues talking about how more and more people are moving toward the use of robots for friendship and intimacy. They try to substitute robots instead of having relationships with real people who have feelings, emotions, and problems just like them. While the robots may be able to respond to the people and make them feel comforted by acting like a friend, they can never truly replace a human because they are simply machines and cannot replicate human feelings.
Although the examples in the introduction tend to be a bit extreme (she even talks abouts about a book that predicts in the future robots will be able to create more sex positions that all the ones already known combined!), Turkle's point is taken about how more and more we are letting technology be an escape from our fears and the challenges life brings. Further, her main point as she goes through the first few chapters is that while everyone is so afraid of being alone all the time, there are actually good things that can come out of being secluded at times.
I agree with what she is saying about this. It doesn't mean you should lock yourself in a room and spend all your time sitting on a computer talking to chat bots, but having time during the day where you can just be alone and reflect on your thoughts is something I value. It allows you collect yourself and just let your mind roam as you think about things like what's in your future, whether that's tomorrow or ten years from now. I am certainly someone who enjoys interacting with others and spending time on the internet or my phone, but at the same time I don't feel the need to be texting someone 24/7 or spend hours on Facebook (although I must admit it is tempting. Damn you, Zuckerberg), I am comfortable with being alone in a room by myself thinking about whatever is on my mind.
In the end, and this is a theme I have thought about often throughout this class, we need to use technology in moderation. Its perfectly fine to text friends or go on the internet often, but we cannot allow those things to replace face to face interaction with others or the experiences the come from building relationships with others. My question is, how do you guys feel about being alone. Do you enjoy it at certain times? Why do you think the fear of being alone is something that scares people so much that they want to use robots for interaction to feel comfortable?
I value you separation from people and technology in the same way as you. I believe that it is crucial to spend time away from screens because it is challenging to really focus inward when technology is encouraging its users to confront the expanses of information from the outside world all at once. I think people are afraid of this separation because an attachment to technology is comforting and less risky than being alone. Technology allows you to tether yourself to the outside world. It has answers to problems that you might not be able to figure out on your own. While few will argue that stronger interpersonal connections can be made through technology, it is a lifeline to an infinity of resources and people that make us feel secure.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that technology is comforting and less risky which is why people are afraid to separate from. What I have learned though is that if you want to grow yourself as a person, you have to willing to step outside your comfort zone and do things you've never done. Unfortunately I feel that technology will allow some people to never have to go outside their comfort zone, because they will just be engulfed in the technology and confide in it instead of other people.
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