Turkle & Wesch: Allies or Opponents?

What is the relationship between Turkle and Wesch? Do you see them as allies or opponents in this discussion of new media and technology?

I see Turkle and Wesch as allies in this discussion of new media and technology. However, they have different perspectives on how to address the situation.  Turkle feels that students are "alone together" in both The Flight From Conversation and her Ted Talk. Technology enabled, we are able to be with each other and also elsewhere, connected to wherever we want to be.  We are together, sharing common spaces, yet alone in our own thought bubbles of technology, touch screens, and keyboards. Technology allows us to present the self we want to be, by editing and deleting. Human relationships/conversations don't allow for editing or deleting. Once you say something, it's out there. No chance of deleting. You can send a text to apologize or reiterate something spoken. The loss of face to face conversation is a scary notion. Turkle makes reference to a sixteen year old that states, "Someday, someday, but certainly not right now, I'd like to learn how to have a conversation." Turkle fears that technology will replace human relationships. They will be taken over by robots. This is not who we are, who we were, nor should it be who we become. If we replace the human with any form of technology, we will lose that sense of touch, comfort and being together.
Wesch believes we, as educators should guide students into recognizing their own importance in helping shape the future of this increasingly global, interconnected society. This is not something that can be taught or simply told. Wesch talks about his "World Simulation" where his students work together to figure out how the world works. His job becomes less about teaching, and more about encouraging students to join me on this journey. Wesch actually refers to his role as a cultural anthropologist is something that he might call "anti-teaching." He feels that by using technology to help drive/further our learning/education together, we become co-creators of our world, and the future is up to us. Our goal as educators is to teach students to become active lifelong learners with critical thinking skills, Therefore, together we can answer the question, "What do we need to know for this test?"