Turkle's early studies of computer life focused on how people's identities were reflected back at them by their computer screens. But as technology has got more interactive, she has become increasingly interested in the bonds people form with robotic dogs, animatronic toys and other machines with human-like qualities. "The relationships are emotional," she says. "A machine that says 'I love you,' that makes eye contact, pushes our evolutionary buttons."

Right now Turkle is especially intrigued by the complex interactions children have with Furbies, the fuzzy high-tech toys that speak (in "Furbish"), learn words that are spoken to it and respond to being held. Is "Furby love" different from "human love"? she wants to know—and how? The hardware Turkle cares about is humanity's own hard drive. "The question for me isn't what the computer does," she says, "but what the computer does to us."

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Name: Sherry Turkle
Why critics are taking note: This M.I.T. sociologist is the leading expert on how technology affects humans
Sherry Turkle at M.I.T.

Sherry Turkle's Favorite Bookmarks

THIS MONTH'S INNOVATORS







Will the 21st century produce more important innovations than the last? Who will be the top inventors? Tell us if you agree with TIME's choices.


Which of the following breakthroughs do you think will come first?

The ability to clone humans
A cure for cancer
Extending the average life past 100
Other
Do you know the next Einstein? Is your neighbor working on the next great health breakthrough? If so, e-mail us the name of your nominee, explaining in 50 words or less why we should choose him or her.


Transcript of chat with Steve Stanford, from Sunday, September 10th on CNN.com

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Photos: Miguel de Icaza by RICHARD SCHULTZ FOR TIME,
Rob Malda by JONATHAN SAUNDERS FOR TIME,
Joseph Park by CATRINA GENOVESE FOR TIME,
Alain Rossman by DAVID STRICK FOR TIME,
Steve Stanford by GLEN WEXLER FOR TIME,
Sherry Turkle by AARON GOODMAN FOR TIME
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