Sherry Turkle Essay the Flight from Conversation
We have seen technological advancement in the field of communication. This began in the early 90s with the onset of emails and lately with the invention of mobile phones. People can communicate using short message service, twitter, and other social media platforms. The invention and advancement of technology are aimed at ensuring that people remain connected with family and friends wherever they are. But according to Sherry Turkle, in her book ‘The flight from conversion,’ she expresses her argument on a negative influence on communication, especially online communication. Her points are emphatically stated ad she addresses numerous claims of how the external sense of conversion has made it difficult for us to embrace and sustain a conversion.
On the numerous claims she singled out, I do agree with her but disagree with some. I agree with four of her statements but, at the same time, find two of her claims not convincing enough, therefore I disagree. The main role of communicating online in undermining conversion is obvious; hence not all the communication is done online results in the flight of conversion.her first concern about communication concerning the technological aspect is very true. She states that “We have sacrificed conversation for mere connection” (Sherry, 1) this statement is pure truth and it is something. It has been going on and has become even worse as technology continues to dominate. In the days before the emergence of handsets, the art of communication was significant since people had no option; they had to pay attention during conversation. The invention of mobile phones and other various technological means of communication have since erased the conversation skills and all the necessary attention required during communication. This technology, instead of making communication better, instead of weakening communication and connection between people (sherry, 1). Family members are forming groups on social media where they can talk about issues affecting them, yet they live in the same roof. This type of communication may lead to poor performance in workplaces.
People no longer come together to discuss their issues. They tend to rely on online platforms to get their problems solved. “Our colleagues want to go onboard meetings but pay attention to what interests them… To some, it seems like a good idea, but we can end up hiding from one another even when we have constantly connected.”(Sherry Turkle p.1) This has led to fear amongst workers; little or no attention is given to them when they have issues to talk about and have them addressed. ”A businessman laments that he no longer has colleagues at work. He doesn’t call. He doesn’t want to interrupt them.He says they’re too busy on their email.”(Sherry Turkle p.1) With this kind of fear amongst workers in an organization, it has led to poor and huge losses.
Technology has ruined the human relationship. People take any excuse to avoid one another nowadays.Before mobile phones came up, people would come together and have any issues that they may have addressed by family or someone else. This may have changed with the arrival of mobile phones. Any conflicts arising can make you get blocked on what Sapp and get unfriended on Facebook, and friendship comes to an end. In the long-run, people get to interact with other people, and in most cases, the families are the ones faced by this challenge.People stop caring. “We have learned the habit of cleaning up with technology.And the move from conversation to connection Is part of this. But it’s a process in which we shortchange ourselves. Worse, it seems that over time.We stop caring.
People have lost confidence in each other. With cases of poor or no replies from friends and even workmates, some have decided to leave people out of their discussions altogether. All they want is quick answers and solutions to their problems, and robots come in handy. Robots are created to pay attention and give expected results. “As we ramp up the volume and velocity of online connections, we start to expect answers faster.To get there, we ask one other simple question. We dumb down on important matters.”(Sherry Turkle p.2).If the solutions are not forthcoming, some have resulted in using robots. “One of the most haunting experiences during my research came when I brought one of these robots, designed in the shape of a baby seal to an elder care facility, and an older woman begun to talk to it about the loss of her child.The robot seemed to be looking into her eyes.It seemed to be following the conversation.The woman was comforted. (Sherry Turkle p.3)
Despite all this brought about by technology, some benefits also arise.People tend to be more productive when silent and emailing without having to make noises at work. Clients more often use mails as a way of having something done. An order to be delivered, a payment to be done, and other things a client may require from an employee.This thing is taken to mean that people don’t want to engage in conversations. This is an assumption that stands to be corrected if people are going to work well. “A senior partner at Boston law firm describes a scene in his office.Young associates buy out of a suite of technologies; laptops,iPods, and multiple phones.And then they put their earphones on.Big ones like pilots. They turn their desks into cockpits. With the young lawyers in their cockpits, the office is quiet does not need to be broken.
Texting and emailing allows one to give a good impression. With courtesy that is seen on social media especially when texting, superiors or even workmates, one is able to clearly show the best of him or herself. This is an added advantage and can land you good opportunities in future. “Texting and email posting let us present the self we want to be. This means that we can edit the face, the body. Not too much, not too little -just right.”(Sherry Turkle p.1)
Technology has come to assist the introverts. This has come to help them cope with life without necessarily having to fear to talk out to anyone, including the opposite sex.” A 16 year –old boy relies on texting for almost everything says wistfully,” someday, but certainly not now, I’d like to learn how to have a conversation.”
To conclude, there is a need to embrace the changes in technological advancements we have seen in communication. There have been good, and the bad things that technology has brought with it in the field of communication things like the disruption of the good relationship that exists between families, loss of confidence amongst ourselves and anxiety as all we need are to get answers delivered faster than before. There should be regulations on the times one should use mobile phones or any other device that can hinder effective communication. Too much of something is poisonous. Human beings are social beings, and therefore technology should not change who we are.