Connect with Self, then the World

There is a strong relationship presented in the ideas of Sherry Turkle’s Ted Talk Connected, But Alone and the article from Wesch titled Anti Teaching: Confronting the Crisis of Significance. Both of these authors push back people’s passivity in life,  technology and its use in our culture, Turkle lifts the veil on our lack of vulnerability and ability to reap the treasures that are found by being alone with one’s self by our constant simulated connection through our phones, while Wesch is integrating technology into his educational model for students to use tech in appropriate ways, answering the deep questions that lie within us instead of being the passive participants of traditional lecture model in college.

Both Wesch and Turkle want people to use the quiet, self reflective compass that we can find within each of us that allows us to reach back out into the world for connection, change and really great questions. I think their message is the same, don’t be one of life’s passengers, whether it is asking that dreaded question, “What do I need to know to pass the test?” or falling into the deep “gratifying fantasies” of the phone that Turkle identifies: Selectively deciding what we are willing to show up and be present for, we will always be heard and never be alone. Alone is, according to Turkle, exactly where we need to be to build the capacity to be with ourselves and then reach out to connect with others, instead of using them as “spare parts” to fill our own void. 

From these readings I see that digging deep into our own personal path, meaning and truth and relaxing the “simulated” environments that can seem so appealing is the best first step. Allowing ourselves to ask the deep questions that come up when we reach out to communities of people to facilitate change or to join those who already are. Then we can and should be using technology as a tool and opportunity to lead us back to “reality” to change ourselves, our relationships, our schools, our communities, our lives and world by following the examples of how these two humans are doing it by example.

I am personally very inspired by Wesch and I keep wanting to find someone doing this with the Common Core State Standards I am required to teach and letting students lead and facilitate their own learning with a structure I can provide. I am not giving up on this happening, I would like inspiration in my content and age group with the oppressive (as it currently feels) constraints placed on my work. My work with students does not feel as free and awe inspiring as the work of Wesch and I really want it to.