I thought that Turkle raised an interesting point about the idea of people never having to be alone because of our phones. Her example of people waiting “at a checkout line or at a red light” (the latter being illegal, I believe- but I digress) is something I’ve become quite aware of recently. On the bus to school a couple weeks ago, I saw someone sitting on a bench downtown staring into space. It struck me as odd. Judging solely by their appearance, they did not strike me as being a person who would not have access to technology; why were they just staring?
Now, perhaps I’m too self-conscious, but I feel that thinking in public is becoming somewhat of a social faux-pas. If my partner and I are out for dinner and they leave to use the washroom, I am torn between spending a few minutes enjoying the restaurant atmosphere and thinking of the next topic of conversation, or picking up my phone to appear connected and busy to the people around me. I don’t even necessarily have messages to reply to; it is the appearance of connection that seems important.
There is nothing inherently wrong with thinking. It just seems like something one should do in the privacy of their own home.
Turkle, S. (2012, February). Connected, but alone? [Video file.] Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/sherry_turkle_alone_together?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare
I agree with your comment of the need to appear that you are connected to others. We end up getting so wrapped up in our lives and how others may perceive us it's actually come to a point where we need to view our phones to escape others judging stares.
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