First published 1985
Sherry Turkle investigates how the emerging computer culture transforms both young people and adults in fundamental ways. She argues that these machines trigger two seemingly contradictory responses in users. On one hand, computers promote a new form of mechanical determinism, where people increasingly view themselves and their world through technological frameworks. On the other hand, they spark an unexpected return to mystical and spiritual thinking. Turkle examines these parallel developments across different age groups, showing how digital technology reshapes human consciousness. The book reveals how our relationship with computers reflects deeper questions about identity, agency, and meaning in the modern world.
Genres: psychology, computers, non-fiction, technology, 21st-century, academic
Vibes: academic, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: academic, social-commentary
Period: 21st-Century
366 pages · Paperback · Simon & Schuster