Sherry Turkle: Connected, but alone?

Because: I went on a TED talks binge last night (the iPad is helpful like that) and this was my favorite viewing of the session. I think the evolution of Turkle’s take on technological connectivity merits attention, and it is the reason I really paid attention to what she was saying. In the majority of the talk I felt as though she was addressing people who fall at one extreme end of the spectrum, but she brought me back at the end. This concept of “being alone” became a positive, a good thing. Being alone and really being alone, and being together and really being together, I think those are both beautiful concepts. 

This talk further bolstered the view I maintain regarding the subject, which is that I do think we have invaluable tools at our fingertips, quite literally, to obtain information and connect. That, however, only takes us so far. It should in no way act as a replacement for anything, just an enhancement. 

David Brooks: The social animal

Because: A good friend of mine pointed me toward this talk, one who used to also live in Buenos Aires and after about a total of three years here decided to move back to the U.S. not long ago. We talked a number of times when she was considering what was next for her, and that’s a regular conversation topic in my interactions with friends: What might be next for each of us. I don’t know whether it is the stage I am in currently or my physical surroundings and the culture of this place, but since being in Buenos Aires I’ve learned to feel it all, to feel every decision I make rather than think it all to pieces. What might be next? I have a few thoughts marinating in the back of my mind, just as David Brooks describes as the way to pick out a couch, for example, in the talk. I’m not sure what’s next or when “next” will be, but when I know, I’ll feel it.