2025.Jun.04

REPORTS

Report on Lecture by Dr. Kathleen Mae Cumiskey “From the Presence of Absent Others to the Absence of Presence: The impact of emerging technologies on identity and relationships”

The invention and widespread adoption of mobile phones dramatically altered how humans interact in public and private spaces. Initially designed for communication “anytime, anywhere,” mobile phones quickly redefined social norms, influencing both how individuals perceive their own actions and how they judge others. Dr. Kathleen Mae Cumiskey, a professor of Psychology at the College of Staten Island and the CUNY Graduate Center, explores how mobile technologies, and now AI and robotics, have fundamentally reshaped human identity, relationship formation, and autonomy.

At the core of the lecture was the concept of absent presence, a term popularized by Kenneth Gergen, describing how mobile devices create divided attention—users are physically present yet mentally elsewhere. Dr. Cumiskey detailed how mobile phone users justified their usage as necessary, often citing emergencies, while observers interpreted such behavior as rude and intrusive. This split interpretation highlighted how technology blurred the boundaries of personal and public space, redefining social interaction areas.

Dr. Cumiskey expanded the conversation by introducing philosophical reflections from Emmanuel Levinas, who emphasized the ethical responsibility inherent in face-to-face encounters. Mobile technology, by prioritizing remote interactions, diminishes the importance of physical presence, potentially dehumanizing relationships. Mediated communication risks misinterpretation, complicating the ethical dimensions of everyday interaction.

The lecture traced the evolution of mobile communication over two decades. Mobile phones, once primarily for voice calls, have become extensions of the self, with texting and other non-verbal communications dominating. A survey conducted in Japan revealed a growing discomfort, especially among younger generations, with talking directly on the phone. Cumiskey introduced the concept of phone phobia, suggesting that discomfort with direct communication primes users for the predictability and ease of AI-driven interactions, further distancing individuals from autonomous decision-making.

Dr. Cumiskey critically examined the emerging influence of AI and robotics as forms of “absent presence.” While users might experience AI as efficient and purposeful, it often mediates and dilutes authentic human engagement. She warned of the risks of diminished autonomy, passive engagement, and social loafing, where individuals increasingly rely on technology to make decisions for them. This erosion of agency could turn users from active participants into passive observers of their own lives, a phenomenon likened to the “NPC effect” from gaming culture.

Identity development also faces new challenges. Parasocial relationships, where individuals form one-sided emotional bonds with media figures or AI, contribute to an “identity in isolation.” Though these relationships can provide comfort, they ultimately replace the depth of genuine reciprocal connections, leading to further social detachment.

COVID-19 exacerbated these trends, normalizing contactless interactions and virtual engagements. The pandemic accelerated the digitization of human faces for surveillance and data purposes, further dehumanizing social connections. Technologies such as virtual meeting platforms allowed continuity but at the cost of authentic presence.

Dr. Cumiskey concluded by proposing Zen Buddhist principles, such as shoshin (beginner’s mind) and zanshin (total awareness), as philosophical tools to resist the fragmenting influence of technology. These practices offer a way to maintain autonomy and mindful presence in an increasingly automated world, challenging individuals to reclaim agency and authenticity in their relationships and self-conception.