Alone Together Analysis
Personal authenticity can be defined as having a real true and an honest relationship with oneself and others. To have an authentic relationship two people must have a genuine and strong bond with each other. The theory of authenticity is expressed by Sherry Turkle in her argument titled “Alone Together”. In Turkle’s argument she strongly believes that the best kind of relationships are authentic ones. Authentic ones can only be formed with intimate relationships and with people who share the same human experiences. She opposes the use of technology because she believes people use it to avoid taking risk to form authentic relationships with others. Technology allows for people to hide themselves and avoid facing the problems that can come
…show more content…
Orr demonstrates Turkle idea of authenticity when he witnesses the boy next to him being forced to swallow a pin he had on his shirt. While witnessing this gruesome act Orr stated that he had “the impulse to grab the guard’s pistol…and shoot him as many times as possible” (222). In that instant moment, Orr placed himself in the shoes of the victim and wanted to take action, but he didn’t. Orr’s personal authenticity to the man was not there and Orr was not willing to risk his life for that guy. In addition, Turkle adds to her idea of authenticity that “we are born, have families, and know loss and the reality of death” (267-268). In the case of Orr and the guy swallowing the pin, Turkle’s idea was exemplified. This was because Orr and the guy both were human, and were aware that they were in a life and death situation, therefore one would assume that Orr would have risked his life for that man, but he didn’t. Its evident that Orr began to develop bonds with the people in confinement because he felt their pain, however, the bonds were not authentic. Orr’s personal authenticity to the boy was not strong enough for him to be risk his life. This further exemplifies that Orr’s original motive to join the movement was personal, not because he related or had an authentic bond to the people in the CORE movement. Orr’s only personal authentic bond was with his
Orr demonstrates Turkle idea of authenticity when he witnesses the boy next to him being forced to swallow a pin he had on his shirt. While witnessing this gruesome act Orr stated that he had “the impulse to grab the guard’s pistol…and shoot him as many times as possible” (222). In that instant moment, Orr placed himself in the shoes of the victim and wanted to take action, but he didn’t. Orr’s personal authenticity to the man was not there and Orr was not willing to risk his life for that guy. In addition, Turkle adds to her idea of authenticity that “we are born, have families, and know loss and the reality of death” (267-268). In the case of Orr and the guy swallowing the pin, Turkle’s idea was exemplified. This was because Orr and the guy both were human, and were aware that they were in a life and death situation, therefore one would assume that Orr would have risked his life for that man, but he didn’t. Its evident that Orr began to develop bonds with the people in confinement because he felt their pain, however, the bonds were not authentic. Orr’s personal authenticity to the boy was not strong enough for him to be risk his life. This further exemplifies that Orr’s original motive to join the movement was personal, not because he related or had an authentic bond to the people in the CORE movement. Orr’s only personal authentic bond was with his