Comments on: With Tech, We Are Not Where We Want To Be (Or, This Cake Ain't Baked)

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 21:32:50 +0000

John, when I read "but we can keep shaping it till we get the feedback loop right", I shook my head (left to right, not up and down). I think that's the sisyphean promise of technology. If we can just iterate 1 more time, maybe we'll get it right this time. But, the boulder keeps rolling back downhill -- maybe not as far downhill as the last time, but downhill nonetheless.

Overall, I am a technology optimist, and to use the words of Louis CK -- "the world is amazing right now". But, in our attempt to use technology to enhance human connection, we're inevitably creating new types of connections, while at the same time diminishing other types of connections. Unfortunately, the new types of connections are often less "human", while the older, diminished ones are often the more "human" ones.

In other words, it's great that I can use Facebook to keep tabs on people I otherwise probably would have lost touch with a long time ago. At the same time, my understanding of what's going on in their lives is fairly cursory, and yet I have the illusion of knowing what's going on in their lives. So, maybe I'm less likely to dig more deeply and establish a much more meaningful connection. As a result, the risk is that we have a lot more superficial connections with people, and fewer deep connections.

If I had to choose between the two types of connections, I would choose a smaller number of deeper connections. For me, that is much more human.

By: John

John — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 16:47:19 +0000

Mark, it’s a fair observation, but there’s a purity of focus that is important, I think. Also, intent. If work takes you away from your kids, that’s on you. If you bring work with you as you are with your kids, that’s also on you.
If you want non dystopic, read Kevin’s book, referred to in the post.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 05:52:26 +0000

George Orwell said this over 60 years ago (when covering similar ground to Turkle: “Man needs warmth, society, leisure, comfort and security: he also needs solitude, creative work and the sense of wonder. If he recognised this he could use the products of science and industrialism eclectically, applying always the same test: does this make me more human or less human?”

I wrote a piece for Scots culture magazine One about Orwell and technology a few years back: http://wp.iamone.co.uk/?p=539

Plus ca change....

By: Mark

Mark — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 21:07:22 +0000

I have not read the book yet, but regarding your comment about checking your Blackberry while pushing your kid on a swing - isn't the opposite of her premise true, doesn't the fact that you can check your e-mail with your kids versus having to be in an office more about a success of technology, an improvement and a chance to strengthen the family core.

Personally, I have been able to bond with my daughter because technology lets me remote into an office, because technology lets me get my work done before partners across the globe wake up, because technology lets me press a power button to turn off my work and spend time with her instead of commutes and overtime corralled in a cubicle.

Regarding toys, the imagination of children is a funny thing.

Overall, I think this topic is interesting, but I feel that maybe for this book a conclusion may have been made before the first draft was written. Again, I would need to read it. Any recommendations on a non-dystopic view of technology?