The Future -

            Some might say technology is good. Some might say technology is bad. Both opinions would be correct. As evidenced by any individual utilizing modern technology, these advances certainly do make our lives easier. Inventions such as e-mail and instant messaging have made personal and professional communications easier. Corporations are able to communicate with employees face-to-face via video teleconferencing technology. Using the same technology, families are able to communicate with friends and family members across many miles and time zones. Additionally, the invention of social media such as Facebook has allowed friends and family keep in touch and stay up-to-date on one another’s lives. And for goodness sakes, what did we do before the Google Maps app???

Life before the Google Maps app

Sherry Turkle addresses a few of these potentially negative aspects of technology during her 2012 TedTalk (watch the full video below). Turkle argues that our little portable devices not only change what we do, they change who we are, which results in trouble when we attempt to relate to ourselves and engage in self-reflection. The problem with having real, in-time conversations is that “texting, e-mail, posting, all of these things let us present the self as we want to be. We get to edit, and that means we get to delete, and that means we get to retouch, the face, the voice, the flesh, the body – not too much, not too little, just right” (Turkle, 2012). She also suggests that “technology is making a bid to redefine                       human connection – how we can for each other, how we care for ourselves – but it’s also giving us the opportunity to affirm our values and our direction” (Turkle, 2012). The key to our success with technology is to recognize our vulnerability to it; and recognize the potential crutch that can result from relying too much on technology. Technology should be an enhancement to our communication, not a replace for organic, authentic communication.

            However, at what price comes our easier lifestyle? For example, in 2011 Facebook was cited in a third of all divorce filings. In addition, more than 80 percent of divorce attorneys in the United States say, “social networking in divorce proceedings is on the rise” (Lupkin, 2012). Furthermore, an article written by psychotherapist, Kim Schneiderman, exposes the idea that social media, while all the craze, may not be the healthiest outlet from an emotional perspective. The author believes that social media sites “offers the online universe a whole new arsenal to offend, snub, flirt, spy on” (Schneiderman, 2011). This article references research by psychologists at Edinburgh Napier University which findings revealed a connection between stress levels and the number of Facebook friends one may have. Schneiderman relates a number of various situations as a result of Facebook including a “defriending” war, political arguments, divorced couples, passive-aggressive behavior, envy, jealousy, etc.

Lupkin, S. (2012). Can Facebook Ruin Your Marriage?

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/facebook-relationship-status/story?id=16406245

Schneiderman, K. (2011). Cyberspying and Defriending: How Facebook is Finding its

Way to the Therapy Couch. The Novel Perspective.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-novel-

perspective/201110/cyberspying-and-defriending-how-facebook-is-finding-its-

way-the-th

Turkle, S. (2012). Connected, but Alone? Ted Talk.

            http://www.ted.com/talks/sherry_turkle_alone_together.html