CC The Impacts of Social Media and Relationships Are Overly Accurate Discussion

For this prompt, we will look at the  implications of social media on interpersonal communication. Media can be used to maintain friendships, family relationships, and romantic relationships. Mediated communication can also be detrimental to relationships if not carefully managed. We will learn that mediated interaction must be mindful.  To begin this chapter DB, watch Sherry Turkle’s TED Talk “Connected but Alone” https://www.ted.com/talks/sherry_turkle_alone_together

1.  How accurate were Turkle’s observations regarding the impact of social media on relationships?

2.  Analyze and discuss at least two of Turkle’s specific assertions and observations on the list below:

• Too many texts can be problematic
• Some things that people do with their phones would once have been disturbing or odd, but now seem normal – e.g., texting during meetings, making eye-contact when texting, parents texting during meals, texting during funerals, etc.
• People can’t get enough of each other – but at a distance
• People report that they would rather text than talk
• Face-to-face conversations can be difficult – they occur in real time and aren’t easy to control
• We clean up messy relationships with technology
• Fleeing from conversation keeps people from being able to engage in self-reflection
• We use Twitter and Facebook to get the feeling that someone is listening to us
• We are lonely but afraid of intimacy – we want the illusion of companionship without the demands of friendship
• When people are alone, they feel anxious – being alone feels like a problem that needs to be solved
• “I share therefore I am” – I want to have a feeling so I send a text
• People end up isolated if they don’t cultivate the ability to be alone, and to be separate

3.  To what extent are these observations true from your experience? Do you agree that all of the texts, or  SIPs, do not add up to a real conversation? How can we use technology to improve our lives and relationships?

4.  How can you relate what Turkle discussed to friendship and social media, effective communication and families, and effective communication in romantic relationships as discussed in Chapter 10?

5. Given that this TED talk was filmed in 2012, does it still hold true today? More? Less?

• Original threads/posts should be at least 400 words total and have a least 2 textbook reference from the specified chapter. You will have 1 reference per original DB post.
• Each of the two peer responses should be at least 150 words each in length and have a least 1 textbook reference from the specified chapter.You will have a textbook reference in each of your peer response posts.