The ability to communicate has significantly changed in the past century. From the invention of the telegram in 1837 to the development of the modern-day telephone in the 2000s, the means of communication have allowed humans to reduce delivery time and stay up to date at the rate in which events occur. Sherry Turkle, a psychology professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, argues that the once brilliant and practical development of technology negatively affects human intimacy in her book, Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other. She examines the use of technology and how it allows people to hide behind a screen to essentially create their ideal person and maintain composure. Although this contradicts
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It is no secret that many people suffer from anxiety or are apprehensive to any social interactions. With technology, people are able to express themselves at any speed they desire and at whatever amount they want. Turkle states, “The advantage of screen communication is that it is a place to reflect, retype, and edit” (374). Rather than of a society of individuals seeking to please everyone, this creates one that is cautious and aware. Furthermore, the concept of editing one’s thoughts allows more privacy. Turkle argues this is an allusion and people can mistake their fantasy for reality. There is no illusion because fantasies emerge when a person finds themselves in a situation deemed …show more content…
In Turkle’s book, she mainly focuses on the text messaging feature of technology and how it lacks intimacy in comparison to speaking face-to-face. Although this remains true to a degree, new technology has broken the barriers of distance allowing people to speak to each other from different parts of the world. Through text messaging people can use emojis or “bitmojis” to better display their feelings. Turkle’s interviewee Meredith learns about the death of a friend via instant message and the IMs allowed her to “put her emotions at a distance” (385). The example used with Meredith is outdated because there is a new standard of respect to accomodate changes. As an unwritten rule, any people utilize the telephone to break news like this because it is a sensitive
It is no secret that many people suffer from anxiety or are apprehensive to any social interactions. With technology, people are able to express themselves at any speed they desire and at whatever amount they want. Turkle states, “The advantage of screen communication is that it is a place to reflect, retype, and edit” (374). Rather than of a society of individuals seeking to please everyone, this creates one that is cautious and aware. Furthermore, the concept of editing one’s thoughts allows more privacy. Turkle argues this is an allusion and people can mistake their fantasy for reality. There is no illusion because fantasies emerge when a person finds themselves in a situation deemed …show more content…
In Turkle’s book, she mainly focuses on the text messaging feature of technology and how it lacks intimacy in comparison to speaking face-to-face. Although this remains true to a degree, new technology has broken the barriers of distance allowing people to speak to each other from different parts of the world. Through text messaging people can use emojis or “bitmojis” to better display their feelings. Turkle’s interviewee Meredith learns about the death of a friend via instant message and the IMs allowed her to “put her emotions at a distance” (385). The example used with Meredith is outdated because there is a new standard of respect to accomodate changes. As an unwritten rule, any people utilize the telephone to break news like this because it is a sensitive