“Turkle says these new media are a way of “cleaning up” the “messy and demanding” nature of relationships, in addition to letting us “present the self we want to be.” But what is bad about organizing our behavior? Art, tax codes, marriage, the incest taboo, birthday cards — all of these are ways of “cleaning up” that mess. As for being a tool of self-presentation, did we used to get dressed in the dark?”

— Zachary Howe, at Full Stop

•  26 April 2012