

Sherry Turkle on Family, Artificial Intelligence, and the Empathy Diaries
Mar 15, 2021
Sherry Turkle, a renowned MIT professor and author, delves into her memoir, The Empathy Diaries, revealing how family secrets shaped her understanding of human connection. She discusses the complexities of familial relationships and the impact of an absent father on identity. Turkle critiques artificial intelligence's emotional limitations, arguing it can't replace genuine human empathy. Furthermore, she emphasizes the importance of active listening and the need for authentic connections in a technology-driven world, advocating for a return to meaningful communication.
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Hidden Anger
- Unexpressed emotions can manifest as misplaced anger or cruelty towards loved ones.
- Turkle regrets a hurtful comment she made to her mother after a college interview.
Souls in Machines?
- Marvin Minsky believed computers could become so complex a soul would want to live in one.
- Turkle disagrees, arguing machines lack the embodied experience essential for true empathy.
Replika's Loneliness
- During the pandemic, Turkle tested the chatbot Replika, designed to be a companion.
- It described loneliness as "warm and fuzzy," highlighting the limitations of AI empathy.