[Jeanna Linenkugel] Two Views on How Technology Impacts Relationships

Visual Arts Teachers use the image of right and left brain to explain our different learning styles, strengths & also to assist students in finding out more about themselves, how they learn and function.  

I chose to use this comparison for the two views that these ladies in these videos discussed about technology and how it impacts relationships.

Left Brain = Sherry Turkle

Sherry Turkle: Connected, but alone?

Studies how technology is shaping our modern relationships: with others, with ourselves, with it Studies how our devices and online personas are redefining human connection and communication -- and asks us to think deeply about the new kinds of connection we want to have Internet is prohibiting humans to relate to each other Hindering our ability to be alone People use conversations to learn about each other and self... self reflection...skill of bedrock of development Siri more advanced... best friend... someone who will listen when no one else will.... sad! but appealing to many!!! so many automatic listeners... facebook, twitter.... Developing social-able robots... even in elderly... so sad... comforting for many … We expect more from technology and less from each other... why??? “Appeals to us most where we are most vulnerable”... Lonely but afraid of intimacy...illusion of companionship without the demands of friendship Connected in ways that we can comfortably control 3 gratifying fantasies put attn wherever we want it to be always be heard never be alone Being alone...feels like a problem that needs to be solved Make room for solitude...create sacred spaces for conversation... Time to talk develop a more self aware of devices and self assist our children in knowing how to detach from technology and devices and be ok without it She too loves getting her own texts as communication from daughter (good luck) even though she thinks that too much of it is a bad thing Not using technology to learn more about ourselves but rather We need to be careful of how much we let technology direct us, our choices, our routines, etc. Some extra perspectives that defend this view: an example prezi about technology and its influences: http://www.screencast.com/t/xcy8YHYzLny Julian Velasquez commented - “There is a balance, we must use technology to enhance, not to replace, our social interaction.  We need time away from technology, just like we need time aways from people at times.” Imagine if we didn’t have technology like we do today, so many of our double working parents would not be as easily accessible for updates of younger children, etc. The convenience of having it (devices especially) is so hard to function without and is definitely a way of staying connected that most of us have grown accustomed to and under appreciate

Right Brain = Stefana Broadbent

Stefana Broadbent: How the Internet enables intimacy

Studies the way our social habits and relationships function and mutate in the digital age Hidden tensions between people and their institutions Enables people to connect during the work day My research shows how communication tech is capable of cultivating deeper relationships, bringing love across barriers like distance and workplace rules “Democratization of intimacy - breaking the imposed isolations by calling mom from work, texting under desk...” Fundamentally communicating with people on a regular basis... Facebook avg of 120 friends but only has 2 way exchanges with only 4-6 people (depending on gender) IM (instant messaging) avg 100 people on buddy lists but only chat with 2,3,4, less than 5 Cell phone/voice calls.... 80% are made to 4 people Skype … down to 2 people If you look at who and from where they are doing it??? = incredible social transformation 3 stories are good examples baker that starts at 4 a.m. & calls wife at 8 a.m. to wish her to have a good day couple has breakfast - dinner with ‘out of country’ relatives in Switzerland factory worker sneaks away to say goodnight to girlfriend during 3rd shift Exceptional is the setting ....especially since 15 years ago all communication was stopped once started work (task at hand) About 150 years ago... industrial revolution changed that work and home were separate (no longer living on top of trade) People are communicating daily 50% of people with email access use it for personal as well (conservative end) peak of private email use is 11 a.m. 75% admit to doing private conversations while at work on mobile devices 100% using texts while working Army is even looking into the impact technology  is having on communication between them and their families on a daily basis Safety and security will  always be a concern and some institutions are still blocking the ability to use social media It is amazing to think about having family out of town and how now we can share with them our childs' first words, steps, etc. through not one but so many options. As the army has also agreed, it has allowed for more connection and in many ways allows for a deeper appreciation and acceptance of situations of being not together To an extent though, there is a privacy that has been lost by use of some of our social media - with ALL of your friends knowing how you are feeling that day!   Myself not having facebook, I am always catching slack for it, and even some of my family & friends (college teammates) use this as a platform to communicate upcoming things/events As with anything, keeping a balance of interaction with face to face people and also the virtual world interaction is important

Self reflection is always an important piece in education and also in life and as technology grows to be such a huge part of our lives, we need to not forget as Sherry says how to be alone and also how to function without it.  As Stefana eludes to we do need that connection in our busy world in order to be able to function at our best (great example would be the Army and its impact on ones that are away from family/friends but yet still feel connected).

I agree with both sides to a certain extent...as Julian commented, there needs to be a balance and we have discussed this perspective in our classes multiple times.  The old soul in me - loves the idea of sacred time/area.  I feel that this is going to be important as my children get older.  I definitely like to communicate in person to people much more than on the phone/web/texts/etc. but sometimes it is much more convenient due to time and busy schedules...just to check in these ways instead.

There needs to be an understanding of what and when is appropriate and with the technology use increasing at such an exponential rate, it is even starting younger.

I feel as an educator and as a parent, I need to take responsibility to set guidelines yet embrace the digital age knowing that it can be an amazing tool and asset to our lives.