chippy

Mrs. Chippy is getting really pissed off with me. I thought I was a reasonably well balanced person with a 'life'. This bloody site is turning me into a computer geek. I just can't seem to help myself.





P.S Quick, please post some replies/opinions, I'm running out of stuff to read here.

Pollyana

Maybe you should let Mrs Chippy have a go then she'll see why you are so addicted.... !

Don

As long as this doesn't seem like you:

QUOTE:
Okay, I admit it. I'm a computer addict. Personally, I don't think this is a problem. I view it as more of a personality trait. Nevertheless, the hours I'm awake in my apartment and the hours during the day that my computer is on are roughly equal. And so when the university I work for announced it was having a lunch time seminar about computer addiction, my curiosity was piqued.

Granted, I didn't really want to attend. After all, it was being held during my lunch hour when I normally surf the net. I'm too busy then to go to some stupid computer addiction seminar. I've got web sites to check out and e-mail to send. But then I thought about the bigger picture. Maybe the seminar would be good for me, I thought. Maybe I could learn how to depend less on my computer. And, hey, I could always goof off later in the day and surf the net then.


The day before, I called to register. "That's great. I'll sign you right up." The woman said. "By the way, we have an e-mail list to notify people about our other self-help seminars. Would you like to be placed on that?"

"Hell yes!" I thought. "Give me all the e-mail you've got. I'm a computer addict."

It certainly seemed an ominous start to my computer addiction treatment. The same people also offer drug addiction seminars. I wonder what they must be like. "Great. We'll sign you right up. By the way, we just got a new shipment of heroin. Would you like to try some?"

When I eventually arrived at the seminar, only five people were there. Either this meant that few on campus were affected by the problem, or it was a sign that most employees were wired to the net for lunch and couldn't break away from their computers. I'm still not sure.

The seminar mainly consisted of a speech by a doctor who was a computer addiction specialist. This doctor began by reviewing typical stories of children whose grades had dropped from playing computer games too much, about marriages destroyed by affairs started in Internet chat rooms, and about people whose lives were ruined by "inappropriate use of the computer." I assume she meant pornography by this, but I was never entirely sure. In fact, she threw the word "inappropriate" around so much that I felt like I was at a presidential press conference.

Then, she discussed some of the symptoms of computer addiction which include:

Lying to family members, co-workers, fellow students, therapists, and others about the amount of time spent on the computer. "Look, you're wrong! I was only on my computer 22 hours yesterday, not 23. Jeez!"
Engaging in computer activities to experience pleasure, gratification, or relief. "Aaaargh! Minesweeper!"
Feeling preoccupied with computers by thinking about the experience, planning a return to the computer or buying the newest or latest hardware or software. "Hey, thanks for the info about computer addiction, Doc, but I was wondering if you think I should upgrade to a 450 processor now or wait a few months."
Needing to spend more and more time or money on computer activities in order to change moods. "Uh, oh, I lost my Prozac. Somebody turn my computer on quick!"
Showing physical signs, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, backaches, dry eyes, neglect of personal hygiene or eating irregularities. "Um, personal hygiene?"
Next, she actually said, "If you're interested, there's more information on my web site." No, this wasn't working at all.

"Hi, Doctor, I just can't stop myself from going on the Internet. I think about the net all time. What can I do?"

"Well, have you checked out my web site?"

To her credit, she didn't actually give out the web address during the seminar, but that night I entered her name into a search engine. (It's not like I have a problem or anything.) It turns out she even has her own domain name -- computeraddiction.com. I'm not joking. It's just a text- based site with almost no links. Frankly, it's a bit disappointing, because you'd think that being surrounded by computer addicts all day would have at least improved her HTML skills.

As for solutions, she doesn't advice abstaining from computers completely. She feels that would be impossible since computers play such a prevalent role in our lives. Instead, one must gradually reduce one's dependency on the computer. How do you do this? Well, she didn't exactly say. I guess that's probably revealed once the check clears.

At any rate, I'd like to write more about this important subject, but I can't. I have to go play Minesweeper now. I'm sure you understand.

mark warner

it must be addictive as i havent read so much since i left school it has also cost me quite a few bumps to the head as the only way abbi {wife to be oct 4th}can get my attention is by launching what is genarelly a heavy object at me,and shes a bloody good shot

regards

mark

dmf

Yes, I agree too - it is addictive. Have to check it out every day. Shame some of the interesting posters don't contribute as much.

Dawn

Dailygrind

Having much the same problem. I think its because when you decide to move it becomes all consuming. It is a relief to 'meet' people suffering from the same passion.

ptlabs

Welcome to the club. The soon-to-be Mrs ptlabs isn't too amused at the amount of time I spend here as well.


Peter

Pollyana

The Bloke arrives from OZ in 2 weeks to visit me - he said on the phone today, in all innocence "will you be using the computer at all while I'm there? Do you go on the internet much?"..... little does he know!

ptlabs

Been leading a secret life away from him now, haven't you?

Pollyana

And I'm having to re-read all my posts just in case I've said anything rude about the mother-in-law! Good thing is, he's never been on the net in his life, so unless I show him how to access the forum, my secret is safe! I will just have to sneak out of bed late at night and get online then for my fix......

whisky

yes

whisky

ACE

Totally addictive, i have set up a wireless LAN between my desktop and my laptop which means i can surf and access the printer downstairs while i'm in bed, in the kitchen, while watching TV, in the garden and how sad is this, I am actually in bed lying on my side breast feeding my three month old son while i'm typing, what did you say that doctors name was again?

Wilf

Yes we do, Dawn. There are several posts from me today, so chin up.

Rosy

Yes, I think it is addictive, and for the same reasons why other things become addictive - it fills a void/provides temporary respite from the "real world"/gives the illusion that it "makes things better".

think about it - compare it with alcohol/drugs whatever, but that`s usually why people become addicted to things isn`t it?

I`m including myself in this, by the way. For me, it fills a void - having wound up our business over here there is little to do now until we leave. It also gives me reassurance that I am not alone in my situation, and that has the effect of "making things better" (up to a point, but I usually find wine has a quicker and more pleasant effect!!!)

ptlabs

Hmm.... long time junkies like me gotta snap out of it then! lol


Peter