Reflection Paper on the Flight from Conversation

Conversation in exchange for connection, this is the main idea in Sherry Turkle’s article
The Flight from Conversation. She argues that we are losing an integral part of our life, which
was conversation through face to face and it’s because we chose to submit ourselves to texting,
emails, social media and the likes. It might be true at some point, however, Turkle forgot to
acknowledge the importance of these platforms along with the emerging technology in the life of
humans, most especially in communication. To say the least, face-to-face conversation isn’t that
convenient anymore in relaying messages because it’s not all the time that we can meet with
each other personally, and this is where connection helps.
On the other hand, I understand Turkle’s point that our little sips of online connections
doesn’t substitute for conversation. Like the situation that we are experiencing today, we can’t
see each other personally because it is prohibited so we rely on Facebook, Messenger and other
whatnots just to cope up with those people who are important to us. Although I admit that it still
different to see them right in front laughing or crying and we can hit them playfully and not use
“emojis” as substitute. Truly, social media and the internet have completely driven our lives to
another level in such a way that we can create, learn, and share information in just a click away.
It is so powerful that it influences us in ways we can imagine, changing our perceptions and
outlooks in life, and even shifting our ways of doing education, lifestyle, and eventually
communication.
Communication is essential for living; it’s the secret to harmony and peace in humanity.
Therefore it’s a must to create and pursue it, especially now that it can be done through many
ways. We don’t have to sacrifice connection for conversation or the other way around. What we
need is limitation and proper balancing, we set the time for social media and whatnots and
another for good old face-to-face-conversation.