Connected By Sherry Turgle Analysis

“Connected but Alone”

In 2012, when the social media, texting, and online communication was on the rise. It was forming modern relationships: with others, and with ourselves. Some people welcomed this change also was looking forward to seeing whatever awaits in the future. However, others could not neglect the fact that this technology is transforming human relations. Modern technology was changing how people relate to each other. To address this concern, Sherry Turkle, a professor at MIT discussed some of the ways she thinks technology is hurting relationships in her Ted (Technology, Entertainment and Design) talk which is a non-profit organization that supports the ideas through strong rhetoric and persuasive appeals. In “Connected,

People use technology to define themselves. She also gives an example of parents having breakfast or dinner while checking mail or texting. She adds as parents need to have an area in the home where they need to disconnect from devices and more connected with their children. We would be more successful if we disconnect from our devices and connect with each other. She discusses how people are afraid that too much talking will ruin a relationship with others, but in reality, less talking will do more harm. As she quotes “We are lonely, but we are afraid of intimacy and so from social arrangements to sociable robots, we are designing technologies that will give us the illusion of companionship without the demands of friendship.” In this, she points out that technology can give people an illusion of being together, but also steers them to recognize that even though digitally connected is a great thing but is not a substitute for face-to-face communication. She emphasizes that despite the fact that we seem better connected than previously, new technologies is causing us to grow further and further apart from each other. While, she gives multiple examples of how people was relying on and even trusting technology more than their human colleagues or

Making it hard for to have an ordinary conversation is one thing, but trying to replace human by machines is crossing the line that separates reality from science fiction. With this idea in mind, individuals have developed companion robots that seem to have emotions. Imagine the world where we trust machines more than humans, where we would rather have a discussion with a robot than with a human. As Turkle said, “We have lost confidence that we will be there for each other.” This world may not be far away if we fail to give more importance to our interactions with others. Therefore, we arrive at the idea that may well summarize the entire discussion and leave us thinking for days to come: “We expect more from technology and less from each other.” There is a problem with communication and technology. According to Larry Cole from Communication World, "We are witnessing amazing technological advances in the communication field, all designed to improve the speed and effectiveness of communication. All these advances are great. But, we need to remember one very important point; humans dictate the successful use of this technology. Actually, use of this technology may serve to increase frustration if it does not improve communication to the expected level. We must remember who determines the