Slave to Connection
Slave to Connection
That nagging urge we have to constantly check our computer, phone, i-Pad, whatever technological device we have in our possession is due to our need to connect. Sherry Turkle, in her article “The Flight From Conversation”, makes the following observation on this issue: “We expect more from technology and less from one another”. The increased emphasis on connection rather than conversation has caused a sense of dependency on the technology that connects us.
In the words of Turkle, “I share, therefore I am”, portrays that we have become reliant on technology to define who we are. So, do I not exist if I do not share? In no way is this true but this is what we believe. I think of it as a virtual life; when we create a profile, that is considered our birth, and as we continue to share, that is how we keep on living in this virtual world.
I created a Facebook profile much later than many of my friends who had profiles since Facebook was created. Many of them were shocked when I said I did not have a profile. I received many comments in the form of “How could you not I have a Facebook account?” The way they reacted one would think I was missing an arm or an eye; some vital part of my being that I could not exist without.
Furthermore, we share because we know we have an audience. Turkle refers to this audience as “automatic listeners,” who we depend on to nourish our need for companionship. This also extends from our fear of being alone. I know if I post something, at least one person would like, share, “retweet” or comment on it, which gives me a sense of assurance that someone is listening.
However, these “automatic listeners” are not always our friends and by simply connecting we expose ourselves to negative influences. I have seen countless instances of “trolling” which is the act of intentionally making remarks on the internet to incite anger or frustration. For this reason, everything I do is not posted on a social network. However,
That nagging urge we have to constantly check our computer, phone, i-Pad, whatever technological device we have in our possession is due to our need to connect. Sherry Turkle, in her article “The Flight From Conversation”, makes the following observation on this issue: “We expect more from technology and less from one another”. The increased emphasis on connection rather than conversation has caused a sense of dependency on the technology that connects us.
In the words of Turkle, “I share, therefore I am”, portrays that we have become reliant on technology to define who we are. So, do I not exist if I do not share? In no way is this true but this is what we believe. I think of it as a virtual life; when we create a profile, that is considered our birth, and as we continue to share, that is how we keep on living in this virtual world.
I created a Facebook profile much later than many of my friends who had profiles since Facebook was created. Many of them were shocked when I said I did not have a profile. I received many comments in the form of “How could you not I have a Facebook account?” The way they reacted one would think I was missing an arm or an eye; some vital part of my being that I could not exist without.
Furthermore, we share because we know we have an audience. Turkle refers to this audience as “automatic listeners,” who we depend on to nourish our need for companionship. This also extends from our fear of being alone. I know if I post something, at least one person would like, share, “retweet” or comment on it, which gives me a sense of assurance that someone is listening.
However, these “automatic listeners” are not always our friends and by simply connecting we expose ourselves to negative influences. I have seen countless instances of “trolling” which is the act of intentionally making remarks on the internet to incite anger or frustration. For this reason, everything I do is not posted on a social network. However,