It's All About Balance

Always-On/Always-On-You: The Tethered Self

By Sherry Turkle

http://web.mit.edu/sturkle/www/pdfsforstwebpage/ST_Always%20On.pdf



I found an interesting chapter by Sherry Turkle that addresses technology, and how cell-phones are always turned on, and carried with you, meaning you are able to contact or be contacted by people anytime, and at any location. Turkle goes on to describe a trip she took to Paris with her daughter, and how her daughter was constantly texting friends, and describing her experiences while they were there. Turkle worried that her daughter was missing the RL experience of Paris, due to the constant need to feel connected with her friends via technology. Turkle felt as if her daughter never left home...mentally.



For the younger generations the switch from physical to virtual world is done with ease. Older generations may feel pressured by newer technology and societies expectations to be "Always-On" and "Always-On-You", as this can feel like a burden. However, new technology, such as, cell-phones with cameras, Internet, and built in daily planners are somewhat seductive to the majority of the population, as you can do more, and be at more places at once. Turkle is concerned about the fact that technology goes with us everywhere, and this may be taking away from traditional rituals of separation, and a person's need for "down-time". I can see the concern, because as a society we are multi-tasking in ways that previous generations have never been able to. The fact that we can talk to anyone, anywhere, at any given moment and vice-versa, can take away from the separation, and down-time that every human needs. I suppose it's up to the user to acknowledge the need for personal down-time, and simply silence the phone(not just to sleep), and leave it behind once in awhile. Not only do our bodies deserve a break, but our brains deserve one too. Just something to think about...but not too hard :)