Turkle is an M.I.T. professor and author of Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age. Today, she spoke with Anna Maria Tremonti on The Current, hosted by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Tremonti asked what happens when never have to be bored. From Turkle:
Solitude is the key to a successful relationship
Turkle argues we need solitude (i.e. not to be constantly distracted) in order to come to other people and form relationships. Otherwise, you end up looking to other people for your sense of who you are and you’re not able to get a sense of who they really are—you end up not feeling heard, and you’re not able to savour the other person. Turkle says we don’t have to throw out our phones, but we do have to negotiate a more mindful relationship to them. “They’re not accessories, they’re powerful mind tools that can really affect how we think. We should treat them that way.” You can listen to the full 30-minute interview on The Current or click the player below.
