Turkle Versus Wesch (Human Interaction Versus Technology Connection)

Curriculum 550 Digital Media Literacy
June 29, 2018

What is the relationship between Turkle and Wesch? Do you see them as allies, or opponents in this discussion of new media and technology?

Tonight’s homework assignment consisted on reading two articles, The Flight from Conversation written by Sherry Turkle and Crisis of Significance written by Michael Wesch. After reading both articles I would say they both writer have or share the same view in regards to the role that technology plays in society in our time. I think that Turkle and Wesch are not completely allies in the sense that they both are strong supporters of how technology pretty much controls humans in the present. I was also able to read about their opposing points of view regarding this issue. 

Both Turkle and Wesch believe that technology is important for students to develop their critical thinking skills as they become problem solvers in school and in life. However, I think that it is important to keep in mind that, even thought technology has become an important tool in society, we should not let it consume us. 

Sherry Turkle's article send an important message to all of us. The message argues that humans are desperate to connect through our devices. Sherry Turkle describes the distraction that are visible everywhere when people use their phones, computers, tablet as well as other technological devices. 

As I read these articles as immediately felt connected to Sherry’s Turkle’s comments. Her descriptions of technology and its use by humans made me realized how much time we devote to technology on a daily basis. Sadly technology is taking over. This is not good! People are isolating themselves when they are on their phones. Small children (children as young as 8 months old) are given a phone so they can play with it. I have seen it my self. I have been in houses where the family members are sharing the same physical space, but they are not talking to each other. They are all on their phones and or tablets. People are socially isolated from each other. Technology took over conversations!

Regarding Texting versus a Personal conversation. In this short clip Sherry Turkle talks about her believes regarding technology as being s an important part of modern life, but also that people need time away from their phones to cultivate the best relationships with other people. She argues that “there should be spaces in everyone’s home and life where there are no phones at al”. Turkle also asserted that “my position is not anti-technology, it’s pro-conversation” Turkle states that in today’s society people are sacrificing physical conversations for technological connections.

Turkle underlines that face to face communication is a great and healthy habit because we learn how to be patience wit people with whom we interact daily. Just like Sherry Turkle I also believe that we need to have conversations with a real person, we also need to listen and to communicate using our mouth, not via keypad, or number pad. Sadly, we see more and more how people are substituting physical conversations text, postings, using emoticons, emojis to communicate. People rather wait for others to comments on something they texted earlier or to something they posted on any of their social media platforms instead of making a phone call to speak to the person. Turkle states:

We are tempted to think that our little “sips” of online connection add up to a big gulp of real conversation. But they don’t. E-mail, Twitter, Facebook, all of these have their places in politics, commerce, romance and friendship. But no matter how valuable, they do not substitute for conversation.

In the article Sherry Turkle mentioned a person who sated that no one listen to them, therefore they rather text, or send messages on Facebook, Instagram, Tweeter. “No one is listening to me,” therefore I turn to Twitter, Facebook, or other social media sites. As I previously stated, technology is inundating our lives and sadly, person to person interaction is going to continue to diminish. 

Turkle’s article presents a problem that would not probably be a direct result of technology. The problem, I believe is the value that humans are placing on connecting digitally as supposed to having a person to person conversation. The cool thing about technology is that it gives us access to information from all over the World and we get it when we want to get it and fast. Technology allows us to connect with anyone anywhere regardless of who is on the other side. This lack of person to person interaction definitely is a social problem. I believe technology is not to be completely blamed for the lack of personal interaction. I truly believe that humans are to be blamed simply because people are the ones who make the decisions whether to  have personal interaction(s) with other people or to just have a digital connection with someone that is probably miles away (someone they may not even know). The following quote states that:

“We expect more from technology and less from one another and seem increasingly drawn to technologies that provide the illusion of companionship without the demands of relationship. Always-on/always-on-you devices provide three powerful fantasies: that we will always be heard; that we can put our attention wherever we want it to be; and that we never have to be alone. Indeed our new devices have turned being alone into a problem that can be solved”.

In his article Michael Wesch welcomes society’s technology phenomenon. He truly believes in the impact that technology is having in education and on students. Michael Wesch points out that the use of technology allows people to connect to the entire world without having to leave the comfort of their homes. As an educator he also believes that technology usage allows students to tranform themselves transforms from being a consumer to being a producer of knowledge. 

Just like Sherry Turkle Michael Wesch also thinks that even though people can easily connect and obtain information in an instant, There is also a need for critical thinking skills. Today’s students population need to realize that too much technology is a real problem and need to search for meaning within their learning. I would add that people need to communicate and know each other. We cannot be silent. As consumers of technology we must talk about these real needs and how it affecting society and our lives. 

I would agree that both believe technology is playing a crucial role in society. I believe that both points of view highlight the importance of conversation because it is through conversations that deeper connections and learning take place. I also think that both Michael Wesch and Sherry Turkle believe in the power of incorporating conversations into our classrooms. That is our job as caring educators.