Read Angwin's Why I'm Unfriending You On Facebook And Foes H

Read Angwins Why Im Unfriending You On Facebook And Foers How No

Read Angwin’s “ Why I’m Unfriending You on Facebook” and Foer’s “How Not to Be Alone.” Both discuss the effects of technology on interpersonal relationships, togetherness, empathy, and self-identity. Both are also, at heart, causal analysis essays as they posit technology as having an immediate and indelible effect on all of these areas of human experience. Your challenge this week is to read the articles, determine the thesis for both articles, identify two causes that both authors state in common to support their claims, and two causes that are unique to either article. Your initial post should be approximately 300 words.

Paper For Above instruction

The articles by Angwin and Foer critically examine how modern technology influences key aspects of human life, particularly focusing on relationships, empathy, and self-awareness. Angwin’s “Why I’m Unfriending You on Facebook” argues that social media causes a deterioration in genuine human connection, leading to superficial interactions, and ultimately eroding personal privacy and authenticity. Foer’s “How Not to Be Alone” discusses the broader impact of technology on loneliness and the decline of meaningful community experiences, emphasizing the importance of solitude and real intimacy for self-identity.

Both authors agree that technological advancements have contributed to a decline in authentic human interactions, fostering superficial relationships that lack depth and emotional connection. They also concur that technology impacts empathy negatively; the constant exposure to curated digital personas diminishes individuals’ ability to understand and share others’ feelings, thereby weakening social bonds. These shared causes suggest a common concern that technology disrupts essential human experiences that foster genuine intimacy and understanding.

However, the authors differ in some causes they highlight. Angwin emphasizes the role of social media platforms in promoting superficial interactions and the erosion of privacy, viewing social media as a primary agent undermining authentic relationships. Conversely, Foer focuses more on the societal effects of digital occupation and screens, illustrating how constant connectivity fosters distraction, reducing time for solitude and deep reflection — essential for self-identity. Additionally, Angwin discusses causes like the incentivization of attention-grabbing content that prioritizes quantity over quality of relationships, whereas Foer underscores the loss of solitude as a cause of diminished self-awareness and emotional resilience.

In conclusion, both articles support the claim that technology negatively affects human connection and self-perception, but they attribute different causes to these effects, highlighting the multifaceted impact of technology on modern life. Understanding these causes can help develop strategies to mitigate the adverse effects and foster more meaningful interpersonal experiences.

References

• Angwin, J. (2014). Why I’m Unfriending You on Facebook. ProPublica.
• Foer, J. S. (2012). How Not to Be Alone. The New York Times.
• Turkle, S. (2015). Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age. Penguin Press.
• Nie, N. H. (2003). The Changing Scope of Social Capital. The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare.
• McLuhan, M. (1964). Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man. McGraw-Hill.
• Rheingold, H. (2012). Net Smart: How to Thrive Online. MIT Press.
• Baumeister, R. F., & Leary, M. R. (1995). The Need to Belong: Desire for Interpersonal Attachments as a Fundamental Human Motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117(3), 497–529.
• Putnam, R. D. (2000). Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. Simon & Schuster.
• Sherry Turkle. (2011). Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other. Basic Books.
• Venkatesh, V., & Agarwal, R. (2006). Turning to the Dark Side: Understanding Cybercrime. Journal of Organizational Computing and Electronic Commerce, 16(4), 273–292.