In both works, the authors identify how the influence of technology is changing the way humans identify themselves. Carr uses his experience to explain this idea, giving the reader the idea that he feels the effect that technology has on his identity. “Over the past few years, I have had the uncomfortable feeling that someone or something had tinkered with my brain, reprogrammed the neural circuits, reprogrammed the memory” (53). It gives the reader a first-hand look at how the influence of technology has altered his own identity and changed his mind as a whole. He also sets an example of how to become a machine. A metaphor he uses to explain that humans are becoming emotionless and less concerned with certain ideas. They become cold and brainless, it is the new part of their identity that alters their ability to think. Turkle uses examples from everyday life to emphasize this point. She says people create avatars online to represent themselves however they want. However, being able to change a certain aspect of an individual's life changes the way they view themselves. According to Turkle, “people who are able to fluently express multiple aspects of themselves may have more difficulty developing an authentic personality. Some people who write narratives for their on-screen avatars may grow up with too little experience sharing their true feelings with other people” (289). The meaning of Turkle's words is that technology influences the way individuals perceive themselves and redefines the idea that humans are social.