Sherry Turkle
Full Name and Common Aliases
Sherry Turkle is a renowned figure in the fields of sociology and psychology, often referred to simply as "Turkle" in academic and professional circles. Her work has earned her a reputation as a leading voice in understanding the relationship between humans and technology.
Birth and Death Dates
Sherry Turkle was born on June 18, 1948. As of the latest information available, she is alive and continues to contribute to her field.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Sherry Turkle is an American sociologist and psychologist. She is also a professor, author, and researcher, known for her extensive work on the social effects of technology, particularly in how it influences human relationships and self-perception.
Early Life and Background
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Sherry Turkle grew up in a time when technology was beginning to make significant inroads into everyday life. Her early experiences in a rapidly changing world sparked her interest in the intersection of technology and human behavior. Turkle pursued her undergraduate studies at Radcliffe College, where she developed a keen interest in the social sciences. She later earned her Ph.D. in Sociology and Personality Psychology from Harvard University, where she began to explore the burgeoning field of computer culture.
Major Accomplishments
Sherry Turkle's career is marked by her pioneering research into the psychological and social dynamics of technology. She is a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she holds the Abby Rockefeller Mauzé Professorship in the Program in Science, Technology, and Society. Her work has been instrumental in shaping the discourse around digital culture and its impact on human interaction.
Turkle's research has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including being named a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Her insights have not only influenced academic thought but have also reached a broader audience through her public speaking engagements and media appearances.
Notable Works or Actions
Sherry Turkle is the author of several influential books that explore the complex relationship between humans and technology. Her seminal work, "The Second Self: Computers and the Human Spirit," published in 1984, was one of the first to examine how computers were changing the way people think and interact. This was followed by "Life on the Screen: Identity in the Age of the Internet," which delved into the ways online environments shape identity and self-perception.
Perhaps her most widely recognized book, "Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other," published in 2011, critiques the increasing reliance on digital communication and its impact on face-to-face interactions. In 2015, she published "Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age," advocating for the importance of direct, personal communication in an era dominated by digital devices.
Impact and Legacy
Sherry Turkle's work has had a profound impact on how society understands the role of technology in everyday life. Her research has highlighted the paradox of digital connectivity, where increased online interaction can lead to feelings of isolation and disconnection in the real world. Turkle's advocacy for meaningful conversation and her critique of technology's encroachment on personal relationships have sparked important discussions in both academic and public spheres.
Her legacy is evident in the ongoing debates about the ethical and social implications of technology, particularly as it relates to privacy, identity, and community. Turkle's insights continue to influence educators, policymakers, and technologists as they navigate the challenges of a digital age.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Sherry Turkle is widely quoted and remembered for her incisive analysis of the human-technology interface. Her ability to articulate the nuanced ways in which technology affects human behavior and relationships has made her a sought-after voice in discussions about digital culture. Turkle's work resonates with a broad audience because it addresses fundamental questions about identity, connection, and the human experience in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Her thought-provoking quotes often encapsulate the tension between technological advancement and the need for genuine human interaction, making her a pivotal figure in contemporary discourse on technology and society. As digital devices become ever more integrated into daily life, Turkle's insights remain relevant and essential for understanding the complexities of modern existence.
Quotes by Sherry Turkle
Sherry Turkle's insights on:
If you're constantly stimulated by being called away to the buzzing and the excitement of what's on your phone, solitude seems kind of scary.
I have to fight the impulse to use my phone as an alarm clock rather than leaving it in another room. If I don't, I will wake up in the middle of the night and think, 'I'll check my messages. Or the number of my book on Amazon.'
If people start to buy the idea that machines are great companions for the elderly or for children, as they increasingly seem to do, we are really playing with fire.
You'll always feel lonely if you always need validation. People don't like to be around those kinds of people.
When I grew up, I lived in a neighborhood that had social clubs. It's never delightful to glamorize one's youth. My neighborhood was poor. But people felt part of the neighborhood. This was in Rockaway Beach, Long Island.
Everybody wants a robot that will do psychotherapy. But If you don't have empathy, you don't have psychotherapy. The robot doesn't know about life.
A selfie, like any photograph, interrupts experience to mark the moment. In this, it shares something with all the other ways we break up our day: when we text during class, in meetings, at the theater, at dinners with friends.