TOW #26: "The Machines are Coming" (Written)

                In this constantly changing world of technology, it is almost a given that at some point, human jobs would be replaced with machines. That’s exactly what Zeynep Tufekci’s article in the New York Times strives to reveal. Titled The Machines are Coming, Tufekci writes about how the machine is starting to take over companies due to their greater efficiency over humans. In the article, the author uses an anecdote and quoting to reveal how the future will be more about how humans value each other, rather than the us vs. machines theory.

                Tufekci first introduces an anecdote of a conversation with a call center. She states that the man she discussed with was not able to get something done, and therefore thought he was going to lose his job. Through the use of the anecdotal example, Tufekci shows how humans are now treated in many employments as dispensable, or easily replaceable with a machine. By showing how the current worker is not worth employers’ time, she is able to show how strained the potential relationship between a worker and their employer can be. Therefore, the anecdote allows readers to connect with a familiar action, a call to a call center, and understand just how bleak the situation could be.

                Tufekci then uses quoting to show how technology is increasingly being used not for the benefit of worker, but at the expense of them instead. Once showing that workers are indeed dispensable, Tufekci then includes a quote from Shoshana Zuboff, a Harvard social scientist, to explain how the worker is just being replaced instead of empowered by technology and machines. A quote from an established social scientist allows Tufekci to increase her credibility to readers, which further allows the audience to connect with her points. In this way, Tufekci is able to further the proposition that humans need a way to see each other in a balance, rather than in a powered vs. powerless manner.

                Although the majority of workers face replacement, some workplaces are instead taking advantage of technology to empower their workers. Therefore, there is still hope for the “average Joe,” who might not have to worry about his being replaced with a robot.

TOW #25: "Are Women Really More Talkative Than Men?" (Written)

                Groups of females talking together for extended periods is quite common, and these conversations are analyzed in the essay “Are Women Really More Talkative Than Men?” This essay, written by Matthias R. Mehl, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Arizona, tackles the question through a series of research projects. In his essay, Mehl uses quoting and statistics to convince fellow scientists that the stereotype outlined in the title of the essay is indeed unfounded.

                Mehl’s continual use of quoting throughout the essay establishes his credibility on the topic, and allows for him to introduce his own findings. For example, he quotes a study done by neuropsychiatrist Brizendine, stating, “‘A woman uses about 20,000 words per day while a man uses about 7,000’ (3)” (par. 2). Quoting of another scientists work first allows Mehl to introduce his topic through previous factual evidence. In this way, fellow scientists can understand what work has already been done in the field and how Mehl’s work fits in later. It also establishes Mehl’s credibility, since he is quoting other well-known scientists before presenting his own findings.

                Once scientists understand that Mehl is indeed credible, the apparent use of statistics throughout the essay draws them in and allows them to better understand the conclusions given. Mehl first includes the statistic about the previous scientist’s work, as well as a host of other statistics regarding other conclusions made in the field based on their research. This abundance of data and statistics about the topic of the essay show the audience just how much research has been done in the field, and also how inconclusive some of it is. In this way, Mehl’s fellow researchers around the world can understand why certain data does not make sense and how Mehl’s data specifically does lead to a satisfactory conclusion.

                Mehl finishes the essay by presenting his own findings and declaring the stereotype as “unfounded” (par. 7). Through the use of quoting and statistics, Mehl was able to convince readers of a disproved stereotype. It is really interesting to see scientific evidence rejecting a common misconception, which is all the more reason to believe Mehl’s findings. It is therefore important that society make changes to assess the scientific validity of stereotypes before claiming their factual nature.