The Empathy Gap Due To Technology

Running head: THE EMPATHY GAP DUE TO TECHNOLOGY
THE EMPATHY GAP DUE TO TECHNOLOGY
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THE EMPATHY GAP DUE TO TECHNOLOGY1
Introduction
Technology is making people less empathetic and less self-knowledgeable.
Psychologist Sherry Turkle, the author of the bestselling book “Reclaiming Conversation” is
of the belief that there is ample of mounting scientific knowledge and evidences that point
towards the loss of self-knowledge and empathy among the modern individuals because of
the ever increasing interactions of the their with the machines (Turkle, Essig and Russell).
With the advancement in science and technology, people have become less empathetic and
there is an “empathy gap” that has opened up among the human beings as a result of being
highly digitally connected. This paper shall elaborate on presenting an analysis and
assessment of her views on the same.
Discussion
Sherry Turkle is a Professor at MIT and the founder director of MIT Initiative on
Technology and Self. With the same, she is a licensed clinical psychologist. She writes on the
“subjective side” of the relationships of people with the modern technology, particularly the
computers. She, being an expert on social networking, sociable robotics and mobile
technology, claims that the love for devices is reducing people’s ability to feel for others.
Technology is ruining relationships and corrupting emotions (Cheever et al.). Although
technology helps in understanding how relational human beings actually are, the basic
currency of the social connection like simple conversation or face-to-face contact is
becoming much marginalised. Weiss and Schneider too has identified a total of four stages-
confusion, discomfort, irritation and outrage. This she termed as “Blackberry Abandonment”.
It is the feeling from which a person suffers while trying to get connected with the devotees
of electronic gadgets. As an important part of business and personal relationships is making
others feel valued, the devices are putting these relationships at risk.