Though I agree with Turkle's basic thesis, the tone is repetitive, tedious, and, at points, ham-fisted. This book probably could have been greatly condensed, and I think that the first half of the book, the bit concerning robots, could very nearly be a separate work entirely. As I said, I think her ideas are important, and I think we should explore the potential damage that we are doing through our commitment to constant connectivity, but I also think that this could have been a more enjoyable (and concise) book. ( )

It's good. But I could've done without the first part on robots. The second part on texting, social media, and other aspects of how technology creeps into our life is better. And I think she could've expanded on the final chapter, which includes some great discussions on solutions.

I'd highly recommend watching her half hour long interview with Bill Moyers if you're looking for the basic points of the book:

https://vimeo.com/77192952 ( )

2.5 stars. This is a very dry book; it rambles a lot and is repetitive. I am reading it for a book club, and I think it will initiate a good discussion in spite of its faults. This book was written in 2011, so it suffers from being outdated. Is it worth a read? Not particularly. ( )

This book should get 10 stars! Informative and educational book about how technology has affected our lives and the way we now communicate...how texting is less intrusive than a phone call, and how parents ignore their children at the dinner table to check their email. Stories about people secretly texting at a funeral, because they can't "just sit there".
Scary, and absolutely true. If you have a phone, a computer or a facebook profile....this is a MUST READ. ( )

A comprehensive book on the effects of technology on our lives. The chapters about robots are probably too long and the relationship between interviews and theoretical considerations is sometimes not well balanced. Nevertheless, a pretty good read. ( )