Editing Sherry Turkle (section)

==''Alone Together''==
{{BLP sources section|date=November 2021}}
[[File:Distracted by Phones.jpg|thumb|''Alone Together'' explores how technology is changing the way we interact]]
In ''Alone Together'' (2011), Turkle explores how [[technology]] is changing the way we communicate. In particular, Turkle raises concerns about the way in which genuine, organic social interactions become degraded through constant exposure to illusory meaningful exchanges with [[artificial intelligence]]. Underlying Turkle's central argument is the fact that the technological developments which have most contributed to the rise of inter-connectivity have at the same time bolstered a sense of [[Social alienation|alienation]] between people. The alienation involves links between [[social networks]] favouring those of proper conversations.

Turkle's main argument in the first part of the book is that our interactions with robots that simulate emotion pose serious threats to our ability to relate to one another properly. Turkle discusses robots that have been designed to interact with humans on an emotional level; she fears that they may then replace other humans and animals in these emotional roles. Turkle is concerned that we often attribute certain qualities to robots that the robots do not in fact possess, and that our emotional interactions with other humans become eroded as a direct result. Turkle's concern is that our appreciation for human interaction may become eroded.

The second part of the book examines the nature of online social interactions, and the way in which social media has changed how people, particularly [[Generation Z|younger people]], connect with one another. Turkle argues that because people in interpersonal social situations, particularly young people, are often distracted by their phones, they will pay insufficient attention to one another, creating increasingly shallow relationships. Turkle argues that teenagers' reliance on friends' advice prevents self-reflection, leading to less personal independence.

Turkle talks about the nature of privacy in the post 9/11 world, arguing that privacy was sacrificed in exchange for safety. Turkle argues that because they have grown up as part of a world in which privacy is regarded as increasingly tenuous, children do not always appreciate the full value of privacy, which in turn causes them to share even more personal details on the web. This further depreciates the value of privacy in a self-perpetuating cycle.

Using her 15 year of experience, Turkle uses ''Alone Together'' to explore the question of whether or not technology is bringing quality to our lives. Turkle argues people use technology to escape from reality and emotions, which weakens genuine relationships.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Weinberger|first=David|date=January 16, 2011|title=Antisocial Media : An MIT professor and psychologist argues our modern wired lifestyle is damaging us and our relationships, but she may be a bit premature|journal=Boston Globe|id={{ProQuest|<!-- insert ProQuest data here --> }}}}</ref>

In 2011, Turkle was interviewed by [[Stephen Colbert]] on [[The Colbert Report]], where she spoke briefly about ''Alone Together'', and the impact that technology has on communication skills.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cc.com/video-clips/kd5rmr/the-colbert-report-sherry-turkle|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926015005/http://www.cc.com/video-clips/kd5rmr/the-colbert-report-sherry-turkle|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 26, 2015|title=Sherry Turkle – The Colbert Report (Video Clip)|website=Comedy Central|date=18 January 2011|access-date=2018-04-22}}</ref>

Turkle gave a [[TED (conference)|TED]] talk on the subject of ''Alone Together'' in February 2012, under the title "Connected, but alone?"<ref>[http://www.ted.com/talks/sherry_turkle_alone_together.html Turkle, Sherry. "Connected, but alone?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227003602/http://www.ted.com/talks/sherry_turkle_alone_together.html |date=2014-02-27 }}  [[TED (conference)|TED]]</ref>