Alone Together: Why We Expect More From Technology And Less From Each Other (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
This book is divided in two parts: the first is about our relation with robots and the second about how social networks are changing us.I found the first part interesting but irrelevant, the second part about social media was far more interesting. I especially enjoyed reading the chapter about new anxieties raised by hyper-connectivity. This is the reason why I dropped out of social networks. As said in one interview, it does reduce dramatically your social life, but again sometimes making your life a tad bit more difficult in order to protect yourself is worth it.The reason why I only give this book 3 stars is because of its redundancy: it is awfully repetitive when the book could have been way shorter, moreover it's filled with testimonies but there is no numbers, no general data, no brain scans, no polls made on a wide scale, so although it's obvious there's a lot of field research involved, it doesn't seem like it is factual because of it not being "proved" by evidence. "Immersed in simulation, where do we live and what do we live for?"Fascinating concept and questions we all ask. Turkle first reviews human relationships with robots and then via phones / computers, etc. Overall, she continues to cite a lack of authenticity in these relationships. She supports her views with interviews and some data. There are some interesting quotes and observations. However, overall the book is dry and difficult to read. I do enjoy the irony, the minute I finished the book I logged on to Goodreads to post this review. With the prevalence of this technology, I did find some satisfaction in the young adults and teens who take fasts or don't participate online.
What do You think about Alone Together: Why We Expect More From Technology And Less From Each Other (2011)?
This is a good book on the causes and circumstances of the loneliness that technology breeds.
—sapphire883
I'm composing a few thoughts about some of the themes of the book.
—Amanda
