Drew's Blog Fodder: Reflection on Sherry Turkle's Essay, "How Computers Change the Way We Think"

Drew Kevlar’s BLOG FODDER
Now a reflection on Sherry Turkle’s how computers change the way we think

I began reading this essay in a very snarky mood. I was smirking, expecting another one of those papers that accuse the internet of being an “Emissary of Satan” and video games of being “Murder Simulators.” However, I was taken aback when I found that Turkle merely stated a handful of facts and observations on trends following the advent of computers, and left it up to the reader to decide for themselves what they thought. Being a member of the “Computer Generation,” I am pro-computers from the get-go and honestly, Turkle failed to convince me (a feat I maintain is impossible); however she did make some points that I would have never thought of.
Foremost on the list of interesting observations by Turkle is her opinion of electronic typing like Microsoft Word (which I am using right now). She points out that the ability to at any time go back and change what you’ve written inhibits development of the ability to plan out your actions. While this point and truly all Turkle’s points are explained very well and formed in good logic, I wasn’t even slightly swayed from my vehement semi-worship of our new non-sentient electronic overlords. However, Turkle must be given a nice little gold star for managing to write an argumentative essay without slamming her opposition.