Cyborg Life Matters

After reading chapter eight in Sherry Turkle's book Alone Together, I can't help but think back to a reading from last semester. There is a connection between Turkle's writing and Donna Haraway's Cyborg Manifesto. Both are addressing the harsh reality that man/woman is becoming machine; A hybrid of a simple human organism mixing with machine. In Turkle's work, she reminisces about a time she spent with seven researchers from MIT in 1996. Back in those days, people using emails, cellphones, and instant connectivity were considered cyborgs. This sort of technology was unheard of, but within a few short years would become most every one's reality.

So then what is a cyborg? Most people think of action movies where robots take over everything, or movies like The Terminator. At the time Turkle was meeting with the MIT students, all technology was considered a new venture. Back in the 90s, most might think people with computers were tech-geeks that sat alone in their basement surrounded by the gadgets of the future.

The truth is anyone can be classified as a cyborg. Anyone, I should say, that has an extra limb of technology that extends from their body. For most, that could easily be a cell phone or bluetooth capability. As I type this, I'm on my computer, have my cell phone to the right of me and my Kindle to my left. The future is about multi-tasking and what better way to do so than with "fancy" gadgets.

According to Turkle's writing, she hesitated to conform with society. She pushed technology away for as long as she could, but eventually accepted it. Turkle talked about the warm memories she felt at an instant by looking at pictures of her daughter on her cell phone, or reading her daughter's text messages. It's amazing how we can feel so alone, but still have an emotional attachment to a machine; something that is not even capable of "feeling" back.

To people now, becoming a cyborg is natural. The link between never being alone, when you are really alone is astronomical. There's an idea that people are constantly connected without having to communicate in real-time. A text message is a quick way to let someone know you are thinking about them without having to take time to make a phone call and have the feeling that you are stuck talking for a long time. To some people, they might feel trapped when on a phone call. They cannot think quickly enough to respond with an appropriate answer when speaking to someone. Emails and text messages put the conversation a non-emergency status.


For most, checking emails right before bedtime is also becoming a habit. The problem this creates is never getting restful sleep. If you are checking your phone, laptop, etc. right before bed, then all that will be on your mind is what you read last. That could be a work issue that you have to deal with or worry about all night. This could lead to insomnia or anxiety.

Have you ever thought about what you would do without the technology you use everyday? Sometimes, I leave my phone somewhere that I cannot see or hear it. I will leave it alone for a few hours just so I can get some peace! This brings all new meaning to vacationing as well. If we are "always on" then when are we supposed to kick back and relax?