Critical Analysis: Alone Together By Sherry Turkle

The invention of technology has had a profound affect on the individual, and as a result has had an impact on the world around us. Technology is quick, and accessible to everyone and people see it as the most efficient means of communication. The effect of technology on the individual is shown in Sherry Turkle’s essay titled “Alone Together”. She argues that technology gives people false hope of companionship and love, but in reality will leave them desolate and alone. It is clear from her argument that technology has an affect on people and their ability to take a risk. According to Turkle this is because when the individual uses technology they aren’t taking the risk to meet people in person and form a connection. People rather be behind …show more content…
The formation of real life friends versus the friendships formed online is expressed by both authors to support their arguments. In Turkle’s argument the individual takes the risk to meet people via internet. And she feels this form of meeting people is insignificant because its not authentic. According to Turkle, authenticity “follows from the ability to put oneself in the place of another, to relate to others because of a shared store of human experiences” (267). Stating this, Turkle feels that authenticity can only be formed between people who are human, and can relate to one another, if not, the relationship is artificial. In the other argument by Gladwell he mentions the idea of critical friends. Based on the points in his argument it is clear that critical friends are real life friends not cyber friends. They are the bonds that have been formed in person not through social media. This is evident when he states “the more friends you had who were critical of the regime the more likely you were to join the protest” (137). Gladwell clearly feels that critical friends are mandatory for more people to take the risk and have a successful protest. These quotes relate because if individuals can’t form an authentic relationship then the pair would not be considered critical friends. Both authors test the authenticity of a friendship. Technology hinders an individual to take the risk to go out and form authentic relationships. Since the individual is afraid to take that risk because of the ease of technology, they don’t have critical friends to help their regime. Without critical friends it’ll be harder to have a successful protest. Although people are afraid to take the risk to form critical friends and authentic bonds, the motivation to use technology to their advantage in certain cases can be