Roz Chast PA#7 Group #7

Theresa Tegdesch
Nick Sampson

Today’s modern technology is inhibiting our ability to advance communication between each other in a healthy manner. In “The I.M. of Romeo and Juliet” they illustrate that the classic story of Romeo and Juliet would never have turned out the way it did based on less actual physical interaction. The type of language sent through the internet isn’t always the way that you would say things in reality. Not to mention that in the translation of text a lot can be lost in the context. It shows also that relationships cannot develop either. The feelings of love cannot be conveyed completely without an actual interaction where chemistry between people can happen.

Roz Chast would agree with Amy Goldwasser in the fact that she says “the internet is melting their brains,” and “Kids today – we’re telling you! – don’t read, don’t write, don’t care about anything farther in front of them than their iPtods.” They both realize that the internet is crushing our personal interaction and ability to move forward as a culture.

Sherry Turkle believes also that “It is good to come together physically, but it is more important to stay tethered to the people who define one’s virtual identity, the identity that counts.” By virtual identity she doesn’t mean internet identity. It should be clear she means our personality and what makes us who we are in person.

In conclusion we believe that many agree with the thoughts of the image created by Roz Cast. That the internet isn’t a way to always have personal communication and that the only way to really get to be with someone or to know someone is by being with them physically and not just digitally.