“Flight from conversation” is an article that was written by Professor Sherry Turkle on 22nd April 2012 in the New York Times. Sherry is a clinical psychologist and a sociologist that teaches at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is also an author of various books and television commentator. In the essay, Turkle observes that daily communications involving eye contact have quickly diminished are quickly replaced by technology like emails, Facebook, Twitter, and others. She urges society to reduce the use of technology as a way of communication and, in its place, re-introduce face to face conversations. Real conversations have need sacrificed by mere connection through technology. An example is in a family set-up where individuals sit together, but everyone uses their devices. At workplaces, individuals write emails and text messages to each other even when they are next to each other.
The Professor observed that people are quickly replacing deep relationships in real conversations with casual interactions through technology. This, she says, is because individuals avoid conversations that are sometimes demanding and messy. Technology has provided an opportunity for individuals to clean up the information. This is through correction, editing, and complete deletion. Individuals only present whet they would want to be seen in the public. With this, we move from conversation to mere connection.
Real conversations help us to understand and know each other better. As we communicate, we see the other person’s view. Conversations equally teach us to converse with ourselves, thereby training us on self-reflection skills. Since conversations unfold slowly, they train us to be patient. This is not the case with the use of devices where expect fast answers by asking simpler questions even on important issues. Technology has made people feel to be in control of their spaces. They find comfort in being in touch with a lot of people but, at the same time, control how the connection happens.
The Professor observed that people had grown feeling that no one is listening to them. They, therefore, see technology as an excellent platform that exposes them to a broad audience out there. This has resulted in the innovation of social robots that are used to give company to the elderly and the children. Technology has made individuals feel that they are never alone, that they can put their attention where they want it to be and that someone is always listening to them.
Our way of being has quickly changed so much so that individuals quickly reach for devices at any moment they feel alone. This is a symptom and not a cure. People use technology to define themselves by sharing their feelings and thoughts. By doing so, they run from solitude and the opportunity to separate and gather. This lack of capacity for solitude makes people run to the technology to feel this void. They will connect but not experience each other, using people as spare parts to meet their needs. Our inability to be alone makes us lonelier, and the mere connection through devices does not solve this.
Professor Turkle advocates for society to make deliberate efforts for conversations. She advises that we make sacred places in our homes where we switch off devices and give room for face to face conversations. Additionally, she informs that workplaces could be more productive if we listen to each other when we allow moments for real conversations.
I agree with the Professor’s observation that it possible for people to be together but, at the same time, be separated while using technology. This can be seen in a family setting where members could be in the same room but be separated when they drift away in their devices. Workmates are also seen using texts and emails while avoiding eye to eye talks to their colleagues who could be next door.
She has also stated that the use of technology has made people clean up their communication, and they only communicate what they want to be known. This is clearly demonstrated where individuals will only post photos and places where they consider appealing to their audience. She also observed that the connection through technology grows more and more in individuals who feel that no one is listening to them. The young generation has fallen victim to this, and their conversation skills are seen to be diminishing. It is possible to see a young couple having long chats on the phone, but their face to face conversations are likely to be short. Additionally, it is very common to see people turning to their devices whenever they sense loneliness in bus stops, meetings, and even parties.
The writer advises that we should set aside some time where we allow for conversations to happen. I agree with this, especially in a family set-up where we learn our growing children and answer their questions on life. One-on-one conversations among workers also glue them together and create synergy.
Sherry says that the use of technology separates people. I am in disagreement. I believe that technology brings people together. It allows people to remain connected even when they are miles away. A conversation is limited to distance, and one can only communicate with a limited number of people at a given time. The use of Facebook and Whattup groups allows one to communicate to a broad audience at the same time irrespective of the distance.
In conclusion, I believe both the use of face to face conversations and technology have their place. Neither should be allowed to replace the other in our daily living. Technology makes life much easier in today’s life, conversations, on the other hand, build rich, lasting relations.