What we lose online Literature & Language Essay Paper

Journal #3: What we lose online . . .

Due: Monday, April 13, 2020 at 11:59 PM

Length: 500 – 550 words

Submission: Word file (.doc or .docx) to UBlearns



Sherry Turkle believes that "technology catalyzes changes not only in what we do, but in how we think." Throughout this course we have considered how the technologies we develop, adopt, and invite into our lives subtly change our world – the way we interact with it, as well as with one another. Over the past few weeks, the Internet and a bevy of constant-contact technologies have become more than simple ancillary social platforms: we are coming to live our lives online – completely, fully. Consequently, we find ourselves at a juncture, a point wedged between a prior time when 'online' was one of a myriad of options and today, where we have been reduced to consulting a single conduit for commerce, companionship, and conversation. But what is nature of this persistent connection and what is the difference between connection and conversation?



For Journal #3, I would like you to consider your life prior to social distancing and stay-at-home measures in juxtaposition to where you find yourself today. As background, I would like you to listen to an interview recorded with Dr. Turkle last week for the NPR program On Point. The link to the 45 minute interview is here:



https://www(dot)wbur(dot)org/onpoint/2020/04/01/connected-physical-distancing-coronavirus



After listening to the interview, I would like to address one or more of the following topics:



What are the strengths and limitation of the online life? You might speak to the concepts of efficiency and friction within the context of connection and conversation as laid out in the interview.

How have networked technologies redefined our concept of a relationship, our ties to family, and our sense of community. As we move more and more of our interactions online, what do we gain, what do we lose?

Turkle speaks to the use of artificial intelligence to care for two of our most vulnerable populations: the very young and the very old. What are the consequences of moving toward 'artificial' companions to care for children and seniors and how does technology redefine our relationships to these populations?

What will be the lasting impact of the move to an almost entirely online life and how do you believe this will impact our culture moving forward as the pandemic abates. How will it change us and what will be the most striking difference between pre and post social distancing measures? Can we hope to return?

In answering these questions you are encouraged to include your personal observations as to what it has been like these past few weeks, the changes you have observed and felt. Please address as many of the questions as you wish while remaining within the word count limits.



There is no need to cite sources for this Journal entry, you only need to listen to the interview and reflect on the questions.



By submitting this paper, you agree: (1) that you are submitting your paper to be used and stored as part of the SafeAssign™ services in accordance with the Blackboard Privacy Policy; (2) that your institution may use your paper in accordance with your institution's policies; and (3) that your use of SafeAssign will be without recourse against Blackboard Inc. and its affiliates.