“These days, our technology treats us as though we were objects and we get in the habit of objectifying one another as bits of data, profiles viewed. But only shared vulnerability and human empathy allow us to truly understand one another.”

Back in 1984, my husband purchased our first personal computer. We were both delighted with our KayPro even though it was heavy and awkward. Finally, we didn’t have to use our typewriters to write papers. I could correct my writing on the screen, not by putting in the typewriter another piece of paper.

About the same time, we both read Turkle’s The Second Self. It was eye-opening and helped me to see that our world was changing. My library career was directly affected by personal computers and I am grateful for all the work Turkle did examining how humans interact with computers.

I have not read much by Turkle since then. I decided to catch by reading this memoir. I was impressed by Turkle in 1984. I am now bowled over. She has accomplished so much with so many roadblocks. Her family was strange, and her research didn’t fit the “standard” model at MIT to name just two of her barriers. I am amazed that she has done so much.

This book was not an easy read since Turkle’s life has not been uncomplicated. Although I remember her first book as engaging, I had to work to connect with this memoir. It was worth it. I need to read some of Turkle’s work on interconnection. I suspect she has a lot to tell me.