400-500 Words

The world’s relationship with technology and how it affects humans daily shows that we need to find a balance. It is useful to increase many skills and be a tool. However, on the downside, it can cause anxiety, and laziness and make us less aware. Most importantly it restricts us from maturing and having real-life conversations. I and others need to learn to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. This starts with forcing ourselves to lessen technology in our lives. To stay consistent with a balanced life, we need to be aware of its harm and where it draws us away from real life.
In the “The Empathy Diaries” written by Sherry Turkle she introduces her view, “From the early days, I saw that computers offer the illusion of companionship without the demands of friendship and then, as the programs got really good, the illusion of friendship without the demands of intimacy. Because, face-to-face, people ask for things computers never do. With people, things go best if you pay close attention and know how to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Real people demand responses to what they are feeling. And not just any response.” (346) In other words, Turkle is trying to make us aware of what technology is affecting in our relationships. She is making a point that there is a big difference between having an in person conversation compared to being online. Humans want intimacy and responses that the computer cannot teach you. While using technology, you do not have to put yourself in anyone’s shoes and feel empathy however that is what a face-to-face conversation demands. Trying to hold a conversation with someone who lacks empathy is personally something I dislike. It feels like you cannot create a real connection with them or understand any of their emotions. Reflecting on Turkle’s writing, a major cause of this is technology. When you are having a face-to-face conversation and the other person keeps checking their phone is super frustrating. A term I was introduced to through Turkle’s writing was “phubbing” which is new to the dictionary and means maintaining eye contact while texting. Even though there is eye contact the conversation still feels short and it’s hard to grasp if you have their full attention. Turkle’s writing challenges us to see what we are losing from technology when we lean too much on it. Personally, it puts it in perspective to see if we are just passing by interactions or truly connecting with people. She helps readers become aware of how we are showing up in conversations. Technology subtly changes the depth of our conversations and our relationships.

800 Words

The world’s relationship with technology in today’s age has become a blessing and a curse. It is useful to enhance many skills and become a powerful tool. However, this also brings us anxiety, laziness and makes us less aware or detached from reality. Most importantly it restricts us from maturing and having meaningful face-to face conversations. Sherry Turkle, a researcher at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology and also the author of “The Empathy Diaries” has dedicated years to what technology affects in our relationships and throughout our lives. Her research and article brings awareness on the challenges and difficulties we face through technology. After reading and reflecting, I found the importance that myself and others need to embrace the discomfort, confronting the reality of hard in person conversation. This starts with forcing ourselves to lessen technology in our life so we can stay connected to the real world. To stay consistent with a balanced life, we need to stay aware of its harm and where it draws me away from real life and authentic experiences.

In the “The Empathy Diaries” written by Sherry Turkle she introduces her view, “From the early days, I saw that computers offer the illusion of companionship without the demands of friendship and then, as the programs got really good, the illusion of friendship without the demands of intimacy. Because, face-to-face, people ask for things computers never do. With people, things go best if you pay close attention and know how to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Real people demand responses to what they are feeling. And not just any response.” (346) In other words, Turkle is trying to make us aware of what technology is affecting in our relationships. She is making a point that there is a big difference between having an in person conversation compared to being online. Humans want intimacy and responses that the computer cannot provide. While using technology, it is not required to know what it’s like to be in people’s shoes and feel empathy however that is what a face-to-face conversation demands. Trying to hold a conversation with someone who lacks empathy is personally something I dislike. It creates a feeling that does not allow a real connection with those kinds of people or understand any of their emotions. Reflecting on Turkle’s writing, a major cause of this is technology. When having a face-to-face conversation and the other person keeps checking their phone it is super frustrating. A term I was introduced to through Turkle’s writing was “phubbing” which is new to the dictionary and means maintaining eye contact while texting. Even though there is eye contact the conversation still feels short and it’s hard to grasp their full attention. Turkle’s writing challenges us to see what we are losing from technology when we lean too much on it. Personally it puts it in perspective to see if we are just passing by interactions or truly connecting with people. She helps us readers become aware of how we are showing up in conversations. Technology subtly changes the depth of our conversations and our relationships. 

Turkle states, “It all adds up to a flight from conversation – at least from conversation that is open-ended and spontaneous, conversation in which we play with ideas, in which we allow ourselves to be fully present and vulnerable. Yet these are the conversations in which the creative collaborations of education and business thrive” (344) In other words, Turkle believes that we are running from conversation which is stopping us from flourishing and growing through vulnerability. I agree with her view on conversation because when we engage in honest, open dialogue, we not only become more present with others but also allow ourselves to experience real growth. The reference to a flight from conversation interests me because it captures how technology is used as an escape, helping us to avoid discomfort and run and hide into the so-called safety of the online world. Personally having hard conversations helps me grow and understand myself and others more. It pushes me to learn how to think more, communicate and develop new ideas. Turkle’s idea of conversation creates collaborations of education, speaks to me through classwork. In group projects, when we are forced to work together ideas flourish and the work becomes better. This would be almost impossible through technology and communication that way. Running from conversation not only hurts ourselves but our potential to connect with others and have more meaningful ideas. Even though technology is a help it cannot replace how valuable human connection is through conversation. Embracing the discomfort and becoming fully present and vulnerable is the only way we mature and develop these ideas as Turkle states. Overusing technology, we miss out on true connection which is a vital part of growth as a human.

1000 Word Peer Reviewed Draft

The world’s relationship with technology in today’s age has become a blessing and a curse. It is useful to enhance many skills and become a powerful tool. However, this also brings us anxiety, laziness and makes us less aware or detached from reality. Most importantly it restricts us from maturing and having meaningful face-to face conversations. Sherry Turkle, a researcher at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology and also the author of “The Empathy Diaries” has dedicated years to what technology affects in our relationships and throughout our lives. Her research and article brings awareness on the challenges and difficulties we face through technology. After reading and reflecting, I found the importance that myself and others need to embrace the discomfort, confronting the reality of hard in person conversation. This starts with forcing ourselves to lessen technology in our life so we can stay connected to the real world. To stay consistent with a balanced life, we need to stay aware of technology’s harm and where it draws us away from real life and authentic experiences.

Our world has become very digital overtime and technology now plays a massive role in our lives. There are many concerns involving technology and how it may create a feeling of companionship without the emotional part of friendship. As technology keeps advancing, it has provided even deeper illusions of friendship, however it still lacks the empathy necessary for true intimacy. Real human connections and friendships require a level of emotional give and take that technology cannot provide. Sherry Turkle introduces her view, “From the early days, I saw that computers offer the illusion of companionship without the demands of friendship and then, as the programs got really good, the illusion of friendship without the demands of intimacy. Because, face-to-face, people ask for things computers never do. With people, things go best if you pay close attention and know how to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Real people demand responses to what they are feeling. And not just any response” (346). In other words, Turkle is trying to make us aware of what technology is affecting in our relationships. She is making a point that there is a big difference between having an in person conversation compared to being online. Humans want intimacy and responses that the computer cannot provide. While using technology, it is not required to know what it’s like to be in people’s shoes and feel empathy, however that is what a face-to-face conversation demands. Trying to hold a conversation with someone who lacks empathy is personally something I dislike. It creates a feeling that does not allow a real connection with those kinds of people or understand any of their emotions. Empathy is commonly described as the ability to take on another person’s perspective and share and respond to their feelings. Reflecting on Turkle’s writing, a major cause of lack of empathy in our society is the influence of technology. Through Shurkle’s writing we see that younger generations are losing this feeling and ability. She refers to putting yourself in other people’s shoes which is a skill that comes from empathy. 

A common frustrating experience that I’ve faced often while having an in person conversation is when the other person constantly is checking their phone. A term I was introduced to through Turkle’s writing was “phubbing” which is new to the dictionary and means maintaining eye contact while texting. Even though there is eye contact the conversation still feels shallow and it’s hard to grasp their full attention. This may lead to disconnection even if the person appears to be engaged in the conversation. Turkle’s writing challenges us to see what we are losing from technology when we lean too much on it. Personally it puts it in perspective to see if we are just passing by interactions or truly connecting with people. She helps us readers become aware of how we are showing up in conversations. Technology subtly changes the depth of our conversations and our relationships. 

The loss of meaningful, open-ended interactions is a major obstacle to development and growth in the current technology era. Instead of having face-to-face conversations, many people run to technology as an escape from discomfort or vulnerability. Sherry Turkle emphasizes how the loss of conversations impacts our ability to connect, create, and grow. She explains this dynamic by stating, “It all adds up to a flight from conversation – at least from conversation that is open-ended and spontaneous, conversation in which we play with ideas, in which we allow ourselves to be fully present and vulnerable. Yet these are the conversations in which the creative collaborations of education and business thrive” (344). In other words, Turkle believes that we are running from conversation which is stopping us from flourishing and growing through vulnerability. I agree with her view on conversation because when we engage in honest, open dialogue, we not only become more present with others but also allow ourselves to experience real growth. The reference to a flight from conversation interests me because it captures how technology is used as an escape, helping us to avoid discomfort and run and hide into the so-called safety of the online world. Personally having hard conversations helps me grow and understand myself and others more. It pushes me to learn how to think more, communicate and develop new ideas. 

Turkle’s idea of conversation creates collaborations of education, speaks to me through classwork. In group projects, when we are forced to work together ideas flourish and the results become better or more detailed. This connection would be almost impossible through technology alone and it limits the potential of our work. Running from conversation not only hurts ourselves but our ability to connect with others and have more meaningful ideas or interactions. Even though technology is a help it cannot replace how valuable human connection is through conversation. Embracing the discomfort and becoming fully present and vulnerable is the only way we mature and develop these ideas as Turkle states. Overusing technology, we miss out on true connection which is a vital part of growth as a human.