The development of information technology has had a substantial impact on all aspects of people’s lives. Modernization has improved the work of many organizations and social institutions, but this factor also has its negative consequences. Technology has affected the deterioration of individuals’ communication abilities. The research of this problem is of particular value, as it can help develop awareness about the dangers of neglecting live communication and contribute to finding ways to solve the issue. The article “Stop Googling. Let’s Talk” and public speech “Connected, but Alone?” by Sherry Turkle raise the topic of the harmful influence of telephones and technologized communication on society. Thus, the author notes a decrease in the quality of communication, the level of empathy and the development of a sense of loneliness.
In the article by Turkle, the author raises the problem of the constant concentration of the population on gadgets. Therefore, it is noted that “2015 study by the Pew Research Center, 89 percent of cellphone owners said they had used their phones during the last social gathering they attended” (Turkey 1). This fact is striking, as the author comes to the conclusion that modern technologies have completely transformed the way people look at the world and interact with other people. Hence, Turkle also gives an example of how the modern generation has a particular rule of three. Its essence lies in the fact that a person can afford to turn to his phone when communicating only if more than three people participate in the conversation. Thus, if this number is less than three, the individual maintains the conversation until the right moment appears to distract himself.
It is important to emphasize that at the moment many research points to the increased dependence of the population on the Internet and social networks, but there is a chance for a change. The author states in her article “Stop Googling. Let’s Talk” that there is a positive trend in this problem. In addition, one of her respondents noted that he would bring up his children according to specific rules such as “no phones at meals and plentiful family conversation” (Turkle 1). Furthermore, there is a possibility of changes in relation to technology, contributing to the establishment of live communication and interaction between people.
A significant negative effect of people’s technological dependence is a decrease in the level of empathy. Thus, the author notes a “40 percent decline in empathy among college students, with most of the decline taking place after 2000” (Turkey 2). This fact proves that the constant use of the phone in everyday life has a detrimental effect on the social aspect of the functioning of society. The author of the scientific research sees the resolution of this issue not as a complete rejection of the use of technologies but as the dissemination of their conscious use. The main limitation may be the initial resilience to implement such changes. However, with their successful application, it is noted that people will be able to interact more effectively. Additionally, they will gain the ability to increase self-reflection, and form proper social values that are of particular importance in the modern world.
The following source under the study was Turkle’s TEDTalk talk titled “Connected, but Alone?” on the topic of communication in the world of technology development. At the beginning of her speech, she compares how much people’s attitude to innovation has changed in their lives and how now a person does not leave the phone. Thus, the speaker emphasizes the power of the psychological influence of technology. Additionally, it is noted that despite taking into account the importance of live communication, people still depend on technology, and this trend is transmitted from generation to generation.
The author raises such a problem as the lack of people’s connection with reality despite the erroneous judgment about its presence. Furthermore, people begin to alienate and distance themselves from what is happening around them due to constant interaction with the electronic world. The consequence of this trend is an increase in stress levels and the emergence of feelings of loneliness. In addition, the author notes that people are so committed to technology because of the possibility of having constant control, which cannot be provided when communicating with people in real-time.
Further, Turkle highlights the problem of mistaken perception of technical communication as a full-fledged live one. The speaker claims that despite the transmission of certain feelings when sending a text message, people cannot correctly understand what their interlocutors want to say and thus cannot get to know each other completely. Because of this, there may be a problem of misunderstanding and further conflict and stressful situations. Moreover, the researcher noted that technology helps people cope with those aspects of communication in which they are most vulnerable (Turkle 00:12:05). This is also because in such cases, individuals feel more control over the situation.
Therefore, it can be concluded that modern technologies and the development of the Internet harm society. This aspect concerns the sphere of communication and building relationships between people. The researched works of the author Turkle confirm this fact and cite the consequences arising from it. Among them are the inability to communicate correctly and vividly, lack of empathy, and the emergence of a feeling of remoteness from other people. However, there is also a positive tendency to change the current situation among the younger generation. The discussed problem of excessive use of technological communication can be solved not by altogether abandoning phones but by applying practices for its intended use.
Works Cited
“Connected, but Alone?” YouTube, uploaded by TED Talk, 2012, Web.
Turkle, Sherry. “Stop Googling. Let’s Talk.” The New York Times, 2015. Web.