Hughes-Deluca

Anna Hughes-Deluca
Niles Haich
English 1302 - 75
9 September 2016
Technology and Communication
Readers of Stop Googling. Lets Talk., would be wrong in assuming that the younger
generation is incapable of intimate conversation because of the prevalence of technology in their
lives.
This paper will begin by providing background by summarizing the article Stop
Googling. Lets Talk. The writer begins by covering studies that show how younger generations
have lost the ability to aware of another persons presence and tone in conversation. The writer
goes on to explain how people lack the knowledge of how to be in solitude. The next point the
writer makes is about how cellphones are teaching people to multitask instead of focusing on the
human connections one can make while having face to face conversation, void of technology.
The first suggestion made by the writer to reclaim conversation, is to reclaim solitude without the
use of technology or other distractions. The writer then suggests that, in order to fix the lack of
conversation between people, to create areas in homes and workplaces that are strictly
technology free. Another suggestion the writer makes is to manipulate technology in a way that
helps people use their technology in a more productive manner. As suggested by the text, this can
be carried out by applying do not disturb features on phones.
To support its position, this paper will explain why the younger generation is capable of
empathy and intimate conversation, regardless of the presence of communication technologies in
their lives. These technologies should not be put to blame for the problems in communication

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that are becoming more present in todays society. From a very young age, people have begun to
teach that one must fill silences and boredom with a cellphone. Because of this, the younger
generation has become dependent on technology as the best way to communicate in depth with
others. The article discusses the negative effects of communication technologies in todays
society, however, fails to mention the power communication technologies have to bring a large
number of diverse people together. Due to the prevalence of technology in their lives, younger
generations have learned to form connections with people through their technology. These
unique conversations of people through technology does not lessen the value of the connection
made, but strengthens it. Communication technology has made it possible for people to have
direct, instant, and personal contact with virtually anyone.
The opposing view that communication technologies have significantly reduced the amount
of intimate conversation with other is worth noting. Technology has made it possible for people
to be in two places at once, causing conversation between people to become unfocused and
uncomfortable. As the writer notes, Our texts are fine, its what texting does to our
conversations when we are together thats the problem. (Turkle) This suggests that technology
is being used as a barrier to prevent conversation from getting to a point where interruption is
dreaded. Communication technologies have separated people even more by having uses other
than connecting with long distance friends and family. Cellphones that have internet capabilities
and apps at the tap of the screen, have cause people to become heavily dependent on technology
to communicate things for them. These people, who have grown up with technology at the ready,
can lean towards more impatient behavior. This is because they rely on communications
technology to complete tasks for them quickly and efficiently.

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While reading Stop Googling. Lets Talk., readers would be incorrect in assuming that
younger generations are unable to have a meaningful and intimate conversation with another
person because of the prevalence of technology in their lives.

Hughes-Deluca
Work Cited
Turkle, Sherry. Stop Googling. Lets Talk. The New York Times. The New York Times
Company, 26 Sept. 2015. Web. 9 Sept. 2016