Is social networking changing the way people relate to each other?

[NoJo]

New Scientist asked MIT Sociologist Sherry Turkle that question this week, as part of its special feature, "Living Online", which discusses the social and psychological impacts of social networking.

Here's Ms Turkles reply.

"For some people, things move from "I have a feeling, I want to call a friend" to "I want to feel something, I need to make a call". In either case, what is not being cultivated is the ability to be alone and to manage and contain one's emotions. When technology brings us to the point where we're used to sharing our thoughts and feelings instantaneously, it can lead to a new dependence, sometimes to the extent that we need others in order to feel our feelings in the first place."

 

[Lauren Hynde]

"For some people, things move from "I have a feeling, I want to call a friend" to "I want to feel something, I need to make a call"..."

I think the real question should be, "Is social networking changing the way people relate to themselves?"

 

[3113]

"For some people, things move from "I have a feeling, I want to call a friend" to "I want to feel something, I need to make a call". In either case, what is not being cultivated is the ability to be alone and to manage and contain one's emotions. When technology brings us to the point where we're used to sharing our thoughts and feelings instantaneously, it can lead to a new dependence, sometimes to the extent that we need others in order to feel our feelings in the first place."

Well, that explains why people are bearing all on talk and reality shows