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Becoming Part Of Something Bigger Than Ourselves Summary

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Are Emotions Tethered to Technology?
Sherry Turkle and Jane McGonigal once stated that we as humans thrive on nothing more than the physical and emotional aspect behind technology. We want to be a part of something bigger and better so we can leave a lasting mark on the world. We are the generation that is attached and connected to our technology and in our minds: without out technology, we would be nothing. We need the reassurance that we are liked in this community and technology helps us achieve that feeling. Both Jane McGonigal and Sherry Turkle, within their respected essays, recognize that people want to be part of something bigger and stay connected so they have meaning in their lives.
Jane McGonigal states in her essay, “Becoming Part of Something Bigger Than Ourselves,” that people revert to video games to receive a sense of self-of-worth for themselves. There seems to be “different paradoxes between these online communities and our real-world societies,” because they allow …show more content…

Sometimes people feel as if they are not contributing to reality as much as others are, but because of this idea we are able to change into what we know we are apable of doing as human beings. Online video games become a platform of change for many people in our society because they enable a person to help the world in a better way than before. “In the real world… it is easy for people to lose sight of what exactly their goals are” but with a certain goal in mind we are able to work together as a team and collaborate as to how we can change this world to become a better place for us humans. Happiness stems from the roots of us playing a small role in something bigger, much more important that anything else in our lives. With humans being able to unlock potential, they are able to lead a more meaningful life and leave a mark on the world as we know

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When talking about the affection people have with computers, Bogost goes on to say, “And the more people love using computers for everything, the more life feels incomplete unless it takes place inside them.” (Bogost 2). This shows true emotion to the readers because it shows the reality of our world today. This quote forms a large community because the norm of society today is so greatly dependent on technology we just don’t take time to realize it. We have become so addicted to technology that life without it seems vague and boring.

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Always astute that eventually man kind will cave in, and become dependent. Yes, it’s acceptable to state that technology has revolutionized the way we interact. But, one must ask themselves if the use of technology has become a necessity or an obsession? Although some people allege that the use of technology is necessary in-order-to facilitate human beings lives, it’s apparent-that in this modern age: technology has led to several downfalls. Downfalls that range from suicide, to the creation of unhealthy individual isolationism, and dangerous obsessions for technology, and Yet, many people dogmatically hold on to the idea that one must be indulged

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She then writes, "I surveyed the psychological effects of computational objects in everyday life of people's tendency to project thoughts and feelings onto their machines" (Turkle 664). Her studies prove a logical side to her argument of what kind of affect technology has on the human mind. Tukle gives many more logos and ethos examples throughout the essay. Turkle's use of pathos at then end ties in her claim with the idea of her essay. She explains how, "Information technology is embedding in a culture that supports democracy, freedom of expression, tolerance, diversity, and complexity of opinion is one of the next decade's greatest challenges.

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Sherry Turkle’s article gives the impression that we need to use our advanced technology as a tool rather than silence our natural emotions for those of the virtual world. I believe that technology affects everyone differently, for an example, a phone is a great tool for a mechanic because often they have to look up part numbers and detailed information about certain parts and a phone delivers a quick response.

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Arguably, the happier an individual is, the better the quality of their life, and the better off they are. But despite this, there are people who will even argue that lower levels of happiness are the best because you maintain the ability to progress in life and your motivation is still present. Although many people will only see two sides to this argument, there is a totally different view that provides the optimal quality of life and the most beneficial outcome in the big picture; and that is moderate happiness. Cliff Oxford’s essay “High Performance Happy” evaluates the effect that an individual’s happiness has on their beneficiality to society and how you should always strive to be the happiest you can be. Oxford’s main point is that

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But Carr is not the only one who believes that technology is changing our minds. Clive Thompson, author of “Smarter Than You think: How Technology Is Changing Our Minds for the Better,” also insists that technology has impacted us. Although, Thompson seems to disagree that technology is negatively affecting our minds rather he finds that technology is used to elevate us. Much like Thompson’s understanding of how technology affects us, I believe the various technologies we have work to improve us and the way we do things. Whether it is for personal use or business, technology is an important in enhancing ourselves and even allows for more self-expression.

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Nicholas Carr argues that the exponential increase of technology has led to a more connected society but also more alienated and less able to engage with our natural capacities. Carr believes intelligent technologies like the internet amplify and numb our most intimate human capabilities, including reason, perception, memory, and emotion. In The Shallows, on page 211, Nicholas Carr states, "The price we pay to assume technology's power is alienation. The toll can be particularly high with intellectual technologies. The tools of the mind amplify and, in turn, numb the most intimate, the most human, of our natural capacities- those for a reason, perception, memory, emotion.

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In Sherry Turkle’s “ How computers change the way we thing” she states “online worlds can provide valuable spaces for identity play.” This goes to show that even man is trapped in the mundane of the real world and is seeking refuge in the online where they can escape the pressures people face during their everyday lives. Technology has chained humankind in many ways. It is now the biggest platform for society to get news, updates on friends, banking, and even shopping.

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How Technology Leads to Sadness “Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master.” This quote by Christian Lous Lange symbolically shows the relationship between humans and technology and how it can affect people in a good or bad way. Technology can is a great tool for society that provides a service. However, technology can also draw people to it and make it hard for them to turn away.

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Nicholas Carr, What the Internet is doing to Our Brains The Shallows (2010) asserts that, “The price we pay to assume technology’s power is alienation.” He supports this assertion by saying, “They both ultimately achieve their mental and behavioral effects by shaping the synaptic organization of the brain.” Also by, “ We long to keep it activated.” The writer concludes in order for people to improve their thoughts, they will have to cope with the new technology and how they think. Carr believes that technology is taking over how people interact with each other.

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Technology is transforming how we hold our selves..". Instead of us humans controlling are devices they are controlling us it has become vice versa.

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The Goal of Life In order to judge the importance of these values in enriching our lives, we must first define what makes a life enriched. Mustapha Mond, a Controller in Brave New World, would argue that happiness is the most important aspect of life and that the best life has the greatest amount of happiness. This is similar to the philosopher Epicurus’ belief that man should maximize pleasure and minimize pain in order to live a ‘blessed life’; happiness being used interchangeably with pleasure in this text (360).

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“Without technology humanity has no future, but we have to be careful that we don’t become so mechanized that we lose our human feelings.” People have become so attached to their technological devices that they become isolated from the real world at the same time. In her essay, “The Flight from Conversation”, published in 2012 by the New York Times magazine, Sherry Turkle argues how technology has taken over our lives, and people have steered away from conversations with one another. Sherry Turkle effectively builds her credibility by using personal experiences, successfully employing some emotional appeal, and using logical ideas to make it known to the reader about the damaging effects that technology is having on human relationships and real face to face conversations.

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In fact, people are still able to bond using technology, it can help people to keep in touch, and it can be used to help people cherish what is important to them. As long as humans do not abuse it, electronics can simply be used as a new way to interact with one another. Unlike the outcomes of “The Veldt” and “The Pedestrian”, technology does not have to consume or ruin lives. People should encourage one another to use the modern items at their disposal without uninformed cynics claiming that they are living life

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People miss the fact that happiness comes from within. In an attempt to find joy – we must also be cautious about over excessive desire to acquire material objects and wealth. There is a delicate balance that must be reached between the pursuit of happiness, satisfaction, and contentment. While there are many conditions that fulfill ones emotional wellbeing, happiness and how we acquired it, depends upon the

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