Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse ... and this is from NewScientist.com:

The US could be rife with "internet addicts" who are as clinically ill as alcoholics, according to psychiatrists involved in a nationwide study.

The study, carried out by researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine in California, US, indicates that more than one in eight US residents show signs of "problematic internet use".

Source: New Scientist

Got to love this, and how's the wording:

Most disturbing, according to the study's lead author Elias Aboujaoude, is the discovery that some people hide their internet surfing, or go online to cure foul moods – behaviour that mirrors the way alcoholics behave.

Oooooh, most disturbing? Yes, that is quite the pickle. Please let us sit back and contemplate the matter with a big "what is this world coming to" expression and marvel at our own genius at finding this a problem in the first place.

And it goes on:

Aboujaoude, a psychiatry professor at Stanford's Impulse Control Disorders Clinic, says an increasing number of people are seeking help from doctors because of unhealthy internet use.

They even go to doctors?

And lastly:

Previous research suggests that the majority of "internet addicts" are single, college-educated, white males in their 30s, who spend approximately 30 hours a week on non-essential computer use.

So basically anyone who needs to 'further' a concept of who they are, and thus, 'feel as a part of society' is using the internet as a method of gaining a sense of 'achievement' and 'belonging', and due to it being a very effective method, it is becoming something of a daily routine which then undermines other routines that do not arrouse as much positive emotion. What are they going to tell us next, that people are addicted to sports? To socializing with friends? To going to pubs? Do we need help for these things too and to label them a "clinically defined medical condition"?

From what I can see, this is on the same line as "violent video games are making people violent". In both cases, the majority are not affected in this manner and do not require any 'attention' as such, apart from the 'attention' that everyone in this society seems to need, and that is to be able to understand, cope with and utilize their emotions and lives in general. Reading a book puts you in another world, the internet is basically the same but on a social level with more real world happenings and videos of bulls failing to mount cows.

I'm all for freedom of speech, but why is this stuff really allowed in the public forum? Are we so bored that we have to try find a problem everywhere even when there is none? Or are they trying to be cutting-edge by jumping on the "technology is badz maen!" bandwagon?

When it comes down to it, it's more likely they're trying to just take attention away from the real issues we're facing.

This is the first slightly indepth rant I've posted here, not sure if you guys are into that whole scene, so you know the drill, school yard rules:

1. Something is different and you don't like it -- insult me as much as you think necessary so I don't post another.
2. Something is different but it's cool - add your opinion on the matter.

ironic that you post this at 3:06am isn't it?

got addiction :p

OK OK OK, so let me get this straight... Instead of going out, getting drunk and endangering the safety of themselves and others, some people instead go on the web to burn off some steam by being sandy c***s on the internet (SCOGGEX?). This is worse... how?

I'd rather some fat, socially inept nerd go home and thrash the latest Uwe Boll film on the web than having them going out, getting plastered and possibly starting fights, then endangering my life by getting behind the wheel of a car :/

This seems like the kind of study written by old fogeys who know nothing about the internet. "Oh no he's going and using this flashing box for hours, that's not right". Are they overlooking the fact that somebody could be doing business, home duties (e.g. paying bills), chatting with friends, researching, enjoying literature, enjoying multimedia or even creating art (perhaps digital visual arts, or writing a novel)? Perhaps we should ask if hitting a stupid little white ball around a field with a stick all weekend is healthier.

some people hide their internet surfing, or go online to cure foul moods – behaviour that mirrors the way alcoholics behave.

Oh teh noes guys, I sometimes lie down in the dark and sing along to some favourite songs to cure a foul mood. I need an intervention!

well, i dont doubt that WOW is worse than any drug/alcohol

ive seen it destroy many many lives

pretty much all of my online buddies

they dont do anything else but play the wow anymore

it makes me sad

sad for them and their girlfriends, but most of all, sad for me, coz i have no one to play with

ironic that you post this at 3:06am isn't it?

got addiction :p

!

my /played is wow is 114 days spook

does that make you sad

the first step is admitting you have a problem dice

it does exi, it does

I don't surf the net to cure my emotional distress? I do it 'cos its fun and an alternative to the other junk I do like play sports and watch tv. The only difference is that you can do a lot more on the net than a conventional activity so I am on the computer for considerable amounts of time.

That article is based more on ignorance than anything. Definitely crafted by a bunch of people who sit on the computer themselves and can't find teh good links. The only real way they could report on the matter is if that addiction actually brought about a death toll that was significant enough to make me go wow thats funny.

Heh you know how people get off easier in court because of addictions, now one for internet stalkers... i can't help chatting to your 12 year old.. i'm an addict...

i'm an internet junkie, i shoot cat5 loaded with internets up my anus

awwwyeahhhh sweet 0101010010010010

sometimes I even jack up at work

They make a good point. I can see now that I all I've done is replaced one evil with another and I really do have a problem that I can't possibly solve by myself.

Oh well, may as well go back to getting drunk and beating the wife...

SCOGGEX.........


is in.

I agree with the article completely. 30 hours non essential computer use/week is f***ing sick. The way they say essential makes me think they have included time already for personal banking/accounting, shopping or other essential online activities. What f***n nerdy freak would spend 90 hours on average per week infront of a computer. That is a freakin disease!

wow players?

sad for them and their girlfriends, but most of all, sad for me, coz i have no one to play with

haha always lookin out for number 1 eh spook

also yeah, sad c***s that break up with girlfriends or let their girlfriends break up with them to play wow. f***ing sad c***s glad i never got into it

i'l be your internet friend spook

somebody could be doing business, home duties (e.g. paying bills), chatting with friends, researching, enjoying literature, enjoying multimedia or even creating art (perhaps digital visual arts, or writing a novel)?

Bulls*** - we all know it's surfing porn.

Hi my name is Thundercracker and I'm addicted to the internet.

I only use the net to check my emails and that's it.

in front of the computer, in front of the television, in front of the fishtank... what's the difference? gotta do something to pass the time in a way you enjoy when you wanna relax.

Interesting how you posted this, I was about to post another article/blog about a guy who writes about the addiction of World of Warcraft.

http://soulkerfuffle.blogspot.com/2006/10/view-from-top.html

Just his perspective on WoW after having played it constantly.

I know it's harsh - but f*** I hate hearing people whine about addiction. Display some adaptability, get some self control, and unf*** your life.

yeah what trog said - get away from the damn fishtank you sick nerd c***s&^$@#^!

wow babies should be drowned in buckets

but the fishies!.. so colourful & active! i'm sure the rivulatus & the jackdempsey are finally gonna have a huge fight! i'll just watch for another hour! THEN.. i'll.. ermm... do the dishes or whatever. :/

wow babies should be drowned in buckets

ok..all we need now is a comical .gif to go with the punchline and that s*** should pass around the interglobe.

Nice article Python.

70days played and 30 epics. Not bad.

Approximately 30 hours a week on non-essential computer use.

so if you spend more than 4.2 hours a day on the computer. you have a problem.

however, if you spend more than 4.2 hours infront of the tv, your fine..

tv is more of a drug than internet.

tv you just sit back and let it sway your moods. same with alcohol.

internt is all interactive and stuff.

Actually, what do you guys spend most of your time on the computer doing?
i spend probably about 2-3 hours a day browsing qgl (not together ofcourse) and socialising
2 or so hours playing games,
1 hour with email / current events / misc.
during the entire time im listening to music too

on my days off i probably spend
5 hours browsing qgl & socialising
4 or so playing comptuer games.
2 hours on reading news current events and reading email / misc.


last edited by myWhiteWolf at 18:45:01 19/Oct/06

but wheres the porn time, are you gay

trin.. who the f*** takes 2 hours to read up on "current events" ;)

ahh. :)