Finishing Alone Together: Why We Expect More From Technology and Less from Each Other by Sherry Turkle showed how teens for the most part use the internet the same way as teens did way back when even ELIZA was out. Even before Turkle talks about the media, Part One of the book, I notice many express their feelings to the robots. In Part Two Turkle mentions those who express their feelings through the media and new cellular technology, texting and social media. Looking back to chapter twelve she talks about confession sites that are anonymous posts from those who express their emotions and express them worldwide. Turkle states, "There is no barrier to displacement, no barrier to rage, online confessionals with their ethnic of 'getting the private out', as Bandi [a user of a confession site] put it, reassure users with the promise that they do not need to talk to someone in person- expression alone is helpful. And, of course, it sometimes may be." (237) In my opinion I don't think this is a healthy way to get the private out there because users especially the sensitive ones will come across many negative comments that could lead to self abuse. Also the site could encourage users to lie for attention and not take the site seriously since it is anonymous. However today even in the non anonymous social media sites like Instagram and Facebook there are people who confess for vent their feelings and personally I have came across those who have lied about what they have posted. Real confessions and problems aren't discussed, maybe with a trustworthy friend but they aren't always true when posted out for attention. Do people know whats true or not? Those who post their emotions want attention? Are they gaining it in a wrong way? Notice those who vent out in person do it once, those who post do it constantly.
-Maddison Worley
Social media is a platform where users can express themselves. Many people want to be heard so they go and type it all away. When they get likes, retweets, and comments of empathy or sympathy on a post where they post their feelings, they feel like they're heard and not alone. Most of us might find it annoying and may think they are attention seekers but one must understand that not all people are the same. Some people don't have someone to talk to about their problems so they post their emotions and experiences; hoping maybe someone knows what their going through or that someone will text them and ask if they're alright and want to talk about it. Some people lie and make up problems just to see who cares about them but for some it's a cry for help. If you don't like to see their venting posts and think it's annoying, unfollow them.
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