Isolation in a Digital Age

We are all connected through technology, but is this perk leading to a greater issue? In a Ted Talk presented by Sherry Turkle, technology has made us connected but we have become isolated as a result. Turkle evaluates her experiences with technology, beginning with her daughter and incorporates examples from her studies regarding mobile technology along with her studies from hundreds of people. Her main points are drawn from people's dependency to not be alone. All of us are subjected to what technology offers us in the form of three fantasies; putting attention where we want it to be, always being heard, and never being alone according to Turkle. When we use technology we become enveloped in the virtual worlds and avatars, advertising the relationships we crave as humans.

After watching this Ted Talk about technology's consequences, I am persuaded to take action and change my lifestyle regarding my use of technology. I know that it is easier said than done, but if we just take the time to spend time with loved ones, we can fill void of being alone. Turkle's research experiment where she presented "social robots" in nursing homes was an example that really drew my attention to how desperate we were to just have someone listen to us. These "social robots" that were designed to act as companions were treated as real people by the elderly that talked to them. These robots had no understanding about the concepts of life and death but were seen as empathetic by its speakers. What a world we live in where we turn to the illusions of social media to comfort ourselves, when the solution could just be hanging out with a couple of friends. We have lost the old fashion way of creating relationships and friendships and we choose the easy way of filling the void we have. I agree with Turkle's solutions to combat the issue of isolationism and that is to establish places for conversation, listen to what people have to say, and spreading the word to others. As Turkle explained, technology has made us vulnerable but we have the decision to redefine how we choose to live that matters in the end.

Let me know your thoughts on technology's effect on our communication! That's all for tonight, this is Leonard Yalong, signing off!