The Relationship Between Technology and Communication

Question 1 

Sherry Turkle gives an in-depth, clearly articulated and logical argument on how technology continues to define and shape human behavior, more particularly human relations with one another. I find her talk quite insightful and eye-opening on the dangers we continue to expose ourselves to as far as our use of the technology is concerned. On the effects of too much technology, Turkle points out how we have allowed technology to control our conversations and prefer it to the real discussions because it gives us better grounds to control what we talk about. Compared to actual discussions, technology allows human beings the avenue to edit what they put out for public consumption and as such never have to worry about having to clearly think through their next statements since it can always be modified. But as the author points out, such use of technology may be useful in distracting us from unpleasant situations, but it does not help in offering solutions which can only be found through solitude that allows for more profound reflections. I am impressed, just as much as I am challenged by the speaker's ability to logically point out the dangers of technology and too much social media. 

Question 2 

I would concur with Turkle's statement that as we expect more from technology, we are growing to expect less from one another. The society is increasingly becoming materialized where every person is more concerned with accumulating resources for themselves. As such we rarely have time for one another. In homes, parents are no longer there to listen to and guide the younger population. Such children are thrown into states of loneliness where they are forced to resort to their phones for some sense of companionship. In the end, society tends to over depend on technology to offer to pretend companionship. The increasing use of robots, dolls, and toys, the invention of more the computer and the phone games all attest to the fact that we are increasingly resorting to technology to offer us companionship instead of depending on each other for support and empathy. Technology has cultivated a culture of not listening to each other. Human beings have been made to believe that no one is listening and hence have grown to be lonely but afraid of intimacy. Being fearful of intimacy translates to wanting companionship without having to deal with the demands of friendship, as the speaker puts it. We expect more companionship from technology while expecting less intimacy from each other. 

Question 4 

Mrs. Turkle shows a picture of her daughter and her friends who are seated in a room but are unable to bring themselves to have a meaningful discussion because each of them is glued to their phones. The fact that she captions such a state as "Being together while not together" shows just how much human beings allow technology to hamper their personal relationships with each other. Technology has eaten not only into friendships but in families as well. Family time is no longer valued, and it is not a surprise to walk into a dining table and find each person busy on their phones instead of holding light talks to find out how each of the members spent their day. I have experienced this kind of a situation multiple times when my two friends and I go out to eat. Instead of spending time catching up with each other, we tend to be too busy checking our Twitter feeds or updating our Instagram stories and statuses. It is saddening to see how technology hinders meaningful interactions within a given group. Not only does such a situation hinder interaction, but it also lowers productivity and concentration in the workplace and class respectively. 

Question 5 

It is correct to point out that technology has hampered the human ability to be there for one another in two main ways. The first way is the lack of concentration. It is not surprising to find people in funerals or at the hospital busy checking their phones and updating their social media statuses instead of offering emotional support by giving their undivided attention to the ones in need. Divided attention could also be detrimental at the workplace or any other social place that would require social skills of interaction because human beings become incapable of holding meaningful face to face conversations for even 2 minutes. The other way technology hampers with the ability to be there for one another I through the lack of solitude. Solitude is essential for human beings to be able to reflect on situations and therefore develop the best strategy to react. Without such a space, human interactions, even in crisis become quite awkward since the people involved do not know what to say or how to act to show their support and attention. The fact that technology appeals to us most where we are vulnerable, according to the speaker, leaves very little room to accommodate human empathy. 

Question 6 

Human beings of the recent have developed what I would term has a social media defense mechanism. In this case, they use technology to escape from boring or unpleasant situations, such as buying time while in the waiting lines or sitting through ‘boring' family gatherings. This kind of defense mechanism allows us to sway our attention to other exciting things on the internet to beat the boredom that would otherwise lead to anxiety or dozing off. A great scenario would be having to wait in the traffic jam. Sitting through heavy traffic could be quite cumbersome and tiring where one would not know how to beat time. Surging through the internet would, therefore, allow such a person to find relief and amusement, and before they know it, the waiting time would be over. I have been through such situations countless times myself already in which I would tend to feel trapped or suffocated. Mostly it happens when my friends and I have a meeting, and they either do not show up on time, or I show up a little bit too early. To avoid feeling frustrated, I always take out my phone and watch funny video clips on YouTube. This is a better strategy than having to sit fidgeting on my chair while waiting impatiently, looking around. 

Question 8 

I believe in this era almost everyone sleeps with their phones on. It could be for emergency purposes or due to set alarm reminders. I always sleep with my phone on because it gives me peace. I think I have grown so much into checking my phone after every one minute for notifications that if I switched off my phone, I would worry a lot about missed notifications. Such a situation makes me anxious and restless and therefore deprives me of sleep. Therefore, to be able to relax more and sleep comfortably, I always leave my phone on so that I do not miss any notification. In conclusion, I find Turkle's lecture on technology and communication very challenging. She points out, and I have learned therefore that solitude is an important step and process of creating self-aware relationships in which we can reflect and come up with better strategies to adapt to the environment around us. To attain such solitude, it is crucial that we minimize on time we spend on our gadgets and focus more on spending time with ourselves.