Over the course of Technology in Society 400 a reoccurring question has lingered in my mind; although technology has unleashed emancipative opportunities for humanity, have we neglected the negative consequently on users?  Sherry Turkle, a professor of the Social Studies of Science and Technology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, focus’ on adverse effects that are the result of societies dependency on technology.  Recently, after I watched Sherry Turtle’s Ted Talk, I began to follow her twitter feed and further understand her views toward technology and how, as a society, we should become aware of the damaging physiological effects technology has on humans.  Turkle’s Ted Talk specifically drew on societies impulse to constantly be connected to the social web, which, in turn, diminishes face-to-face interactions and relationship building with human beings.  This obsession with technology has ultimately brought society to a place where self-reflection and relating to others is highly difficult.  Turkle declares that people using these devices intensify their expectations from technology and less on each other.  During the duration of the Ted Talk, I found myself becoming concerned; Turkle was right, even movies like Her depict a future society that no longer yearns for social interactions but solely depends on the companionship they can maintain with artificial intelligence systems.  However, this companionship is a façade, which results in true loneliness.  Turtle demands for a shift in how people operate and depend on their cell phones, internet, social networking, etc. she believes that a growing number of adolescents have not developed interpersonal skills, this renders these individuals incapable of creating deeper connections with other humans.  Turkle encourages the reclaiming of our personal connections through talking; she yearns for us, as individuals, to understand our vulnerabilities and embrace our faults, not conceal them on Facebook by portraying an idyllic version of ourselves.

In my opinion, I completely agree with Sherry Turkle’s discourse around technology.  As an avid smartphone and Internet user I have noticed a change in my own behaviour and personal interactions.  I feel, increasingly more of a blasé attitude toward the physical society around me, even though people surround me, I admit, I am ultimately alone.  Technology has enveloped my conscious and the only way to escape is through the creation of new, deep, meaningful relations.