Reflection on The Flight from Conversation
After reading Sherry Turkle’s story about The Flight from Conversation it really made me think
about how much technology has changed the way we talk and interact with other people. She
pointed out something that is really true that even though we are always “communicating,” we
don’t really have conversations anymore. And I notice this in my own life. At home, sometimes
my family is sitting together, but everyone is on their own phone. At school , people are texting
or scrolling even when they’re supposed to be [Link] It’s normal now to be “together” but
not really present.
The one part that hit me was her idea of being “alone together.” I see this all the time. People
can be in the same room, but instead of talking, they are all busy connecting to someone else
[Link] I think the reason people prefer this is because online communication feels safer
and more controlled. Because when we text, we can edit or delete before sending. On social
media, because we only show the version of ourselves that we want others to see. In real life
conversations, we don’t have control. Sometimes we stutter or say the wrong thing. But even if
it’s messy, I think those unfiltered moments are the ones that make conversations real and
meaningful.
Also Turkle said that if we don’t know how to be alone, we will only end up being lonely. That
really hit me because I noticed that many of us grab our phones the second we’re alone, even
just waiting in line or riding a jeepney and I do this too. It’s like being without a device feels
uncomfortable. But maybe those quiet, alone moments are important. They give us space to
reflect, think about ourselves, or just breathe without [Link] If we always rely on our
phones to fill that space, then we never learn how to enjoy our own space.
What I like most about Turkle’s essay is that she doesn’t say technology is bad. She admits that
it has a lot of value in our lives, and I agree. Social media and texting help us in school, and
even relationships. But for me her point is that these things should not replace real
conversations. And she is right. No matter how many likes or comments we get online, it can’t
match the feeling of someone really listening to us in person.
For me Her suggestion of creating “sacred spaces” for conversation is something I think we
should all try. Like keeping phones away during family meals, or making time with friends where
everyone agrees not to scroll. It sounds simple, but it could really help us bring back real
conversations. Maybe it also helps to set aside time to talk about important things face-to-face,
instead of relying only on messages
In the end, Sherry Turkle’s essay reminded me that technology should help us connect, not to
control us. Real conversations may take more effort and may not always be perfect, but they are
what make relationships deeper and more human. And for me, the biggest takeaway is this we
should not let constant connection replace genuine communication. Sometimes, we just need to
look up, put down our phones, and start talking again.
