Turkle's and Pelton's Discussion on Impact of Technology's on Future Generations

Introduction

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately nine people die each day in the US with more than 1000 people being injured in crashes that are reported to be distracted driving (CDC 1). Distracted driving is a form of driving that entails performing another activity that draws one's attention away from the act of driving. Other than causing harm to third parties, distracted driving could also increase the chances of the driver crashing the motor vehicle. It is because of the dangers of distracted driving that the Arizona administration is pushing for the ban on the use of cell phones while driving. Tuckle in his book 'Alone Together' switches his research to the direction of robotics showing how the trend in technology is preparing us for the need to use robots (Tuckle 157). Besides having both the Arizona legislation and Tuckle's discussion focus on technology, there are many other ways that the article relates to the book and this essay finds this relation.

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Similar Concerns

The article about Arizona legislation relates to Tuckle's information in chapter 8 because it is increasingly concerned with how the generation now is obsessed with the internet and mobile devices. Just like Tuckle is concerned with teenagers who text while driving, the article on Arizona legislation also focuses on the concept of driving while texting. However, Tuckle explores the broader idea of mobile and driving technology while Pelton is out to discuss the dangers that come with both technologies. In the end, both Tuckle and Pelton fear that the level of connectivity on the phone while driving will yield to more dangerous consequences if not addressed (Tuckle 173, Pelton 1).

The Tone

Another instance that connects the article by Pelton and the discussion by Tuckle is the tone used by both. The overall sound used by both authors is that of regret. Tuckle in chapter 8 tells the story of Peter who is a Second Life resident. In real life, Pete is unhappily married with two children while in the Second life he is married to someone else with a feeling that the lady loves him for who he 'really' is. During this instance, Tuckle is in communication with Pete at the playground where he was watching his two kids playing and simultaneously chats with his Second Life wife. He then brings up the idea of mixing one's virtual life and actual life. It is at this point that Tuckle regrets how 'we have moved from multi-tasking to multi-lifting' due to technology (160).

Tuckle uses a tone of regret by showing how technology from texting has led to create communication barriers and engage in less deep interactions that would later lead to anxiety. Pelton's tone is also developed around regret especially when he quotes 'too many people are getting hurt and too many people are getting killed' (Pelton 2). It is from his tone that we realize that technology has gotten the public to a point where they should say enough is enough and have something done real quick to save lives. Pelton also regrets how lawmakers have developed bills in the past, but all of them have stalled out increasing the use of cell phones behind the wheel. The tone of regret by both authors makes the two compositions be related.

Overall Theme

The article by Tuckle and that by Pelton relate through an overall theme. A whole argument in Tuckle's chapter 8 and 9 is that we need to consciously consider the consequences of technologies in our lives and later choose what we want to adopt instead of selecting an action without thinking. Pelton also develops an overall theme that is built on the same. Tuckle opens chapter 9 with instances of teenagers who text while driving admitting how they are unable to control their ability to check and reply to messages. Tuckle fears that the effect of connectivity from the use of social media might prevent adolescents from becoming independent and mature people who can handle situations better (Tuckle 173).

Pelton is also concerned with the effects of texting while driving, but while he is concerned with the increasing number of accidents, Tuckle is concerned with the impact of having a future generation that is less stable and independent due to heavy reliance on technology. In the end, we see how both authors ask the public to consider the effects of new technologies on our lives and revise them to pick better what we want to adopt.

Conclusion

It should be noted that both authors are not against technology or do not devalue connective technologies. Instead, their main aim is to have the public do a personal reflection on what technologies provide and take away what is not useful after careful thinking. In the end, I think both authors develop critical discussion which is why I would highly recommend their works to the public, not for scrutiny but reflection. Once we remove ourselves from the messy and untidy physical life of technology, we might be less willing to take dangerous chances and make better decisions.

Works Cited

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Distracted Driving. US Department of Health and Human Services. Web. 2017.

Pelton, Mike. New Push for distracted driving cell phone ban expected in coming weeks. ABC News. Web. 2019.

Turkle, Sherry. Alone Together: Why We Expect More From Technology And Less From Each Other. New York : Basic Books, 2011. Print.