Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology Essay

The day and the life of a teenagers, is consumed with text messages, prospect clock, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Face book messages. Many of us watch TV, listen to music, and live chat with our friends by charge of the refreshing phone. Im sure our pargonnts wished for once, we would look up from our phones and concord an actual conference with them, but we cant. Were addicted to our phones. And sadly, this is typical living for modern mess to deal with this hurry and fast-paced society. Nevertheless, it seems that we attain less and less time to face the objective world around as technology owns us. Is this new model of communication doing us good or bad? In chapter 8 of the book totally Together Why We Expect More from engineering and Less from Each Other, the designer Sherry Turkle, emphasize that people prefer technology over face-to-face communication and therefore, as known as cyborgs.It seems impossible for people to a moment without technological devices s uch as webcams, cell phones or laptops. We acknowledge the ideal of chiting connected with others by way of our handheld or lap devices. As stated by the germ, cyberspace offer teenagers a bureau to create and explore identity. Additionally, practical(prenominal) communities, such as the internet, will us a chance at forming a Second Life. By creating an avatar, we can cut down our lives as we know it by creating a profile that will attract followers, friend requests, and likes. We literally swallow our relationships in the palm of our hands. But, is this real? Can we sustain these types of relationships? As note in the chapter, Virtual places offers club with uncertain claims to commitmentPeople talk about digital life as the place for hope, the place where something new will come to them (Turkle 153). I can admit to checking my phone just about either 5 minutes for a new pictures or messages from my friends.Social media provides instant updates and allow us to stay attu ne with whats happening in the world my world. However, Turkles stance remains neutral, yet depicts twain the advantages and disadvantages being tethered to the internet gives us. We tend to remove ourselves from society by talking on phones or glancing down at screens of their mobile devices. We log out of the real world and log in the virtual space and therefore, cease the interaction or human connection with people surrounding us. In Chapter 1, Turkle states Whether or not our devices are in use, without them we feeldisconnected, adrift. Gradually, we come to see our online life as life itself. Technology reshapes the landscape of our emotional lives, but is it offering the lives we want to lead? (16, 17). Were unable to live without technology. We have conditioned ourselves to never leave home without our devices. Gone are the days of remember important get through information. Our handheld device house all of this information, so should we lose the smart phone, were complet ely lost.Moreover, people feel like their abilities are enhanced and efficiency are increased while multitasking. As noted in chapter 8, We have moved from multitasking to multi-lifing. (160). In fact, were unable to perform basic tasks without some form of technological device near us streaming music, TV, or live chats. It seems that we gain more time from the technological devices than we gain from picking up the phone or having a face-to-face meeting. Turkel, stated, The online life may be enjoyable and fulfilling, making one even less satisfied with life at home. Networked, we are together, but so lessened are our expectations of each other that we can feel utterly alone. And there is the risk that we come to see others as objects to be accessedand only for the parts we find useful, comforting, or amusing. (154).Our expectations have dimmed due to our reliance on text messages, emails, and other mixer media outlets. We accept cryptic messages kinda of organized, well through out communications or agenda. Is there such a thing as social media overload? Can we escape from our devices long enough to simply breathe? One of the examples from the book, a museum curator Diane, she can barely keep up with the pace of technology. Its her goal to remain offline in drift to enjoy her life during her scheduled vacation and not feel inclined to response to the unread messages. The author suggests to us that in order to have more time to think, we have to the networked devices away, especially our youth.The author, Sherry Turkle, does not all the way express whether she encourage or discourages the use of networked devices, however, through her words, we can see that she implies that it is important for that we take a break from the virtual world and try to get back to the basics. As for my opinion, I enjoy my smart phone and the access that I have, however, realize after reading this book, I need to develop real friendships and not rely on my followers on the pop ular social media outlets to bring me instant gratification. However, I agreewith the author, people have a hard time relaxing because were always on and in receipt of news, be it good or bad. Yet, I choose the virtual world.Works CitedTurkle, Sherry. Alone Together Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other. New York Basic Books, 2011. Print.