Article homework

Alone Together: The Robotic Movement Turkle pages 322-330

Reading Questions Part 2:

Paragraphs 18-20

1) What does Turkle mean by “the robotic moment”? Summarize what Turkle believes has led to this “robotic moment”? In other words, why are people increasingly connected to robots?

2) How do you feel about this way people think about why they prefer robots?

Paragraphs 21-24

1) Why does Turkle compare elderly adults to teens? Why does she reference vampires?

2) What is the explanation for why robot companions might be good for teenagers? Why is this both a symptom and a dream? Do you agree or disagree?

3) Do you have any personal examples of sociable robot pets as described in paragraph 22? (Furby?)

4) Paraphrase paragraph 23

5) In Paragraph 24, Turkle states that her argument is not about robots. What then is the main claim of this text? Write it in your own words.

Alone Together: The Robotic Movement Turkle pages 322-330 6) Why do we already prefer technology to humans? She gives many examples in paragraph 24? List a few.

Do you agree?

7) What is Turkle afraid of at the bottom of paragraph 24?

Paragraphs 25-28

1) Why is she concerned about online personae?

2) What are the pros and cons listed in paragraph 26?

3) In paragraph 27, what is Turkle warning us against?

4) Turkle asserts that “technology ties us up as it promises to free us up” What does she mean by this? How does it relate to the relationships we have with robots?