The internet is, above all, a platform, or maybe better described as a massive public square, where you can do all sorts of things and buy all sorts of things. As such it also provides an environment for many to live out all kinds of behaviour, including obsessive-compulsive behaviour, which is often described with the tag "psychological addiction".
You can't get pissed, stoned or high on the web - in that sense, it is free of the physical addiction component which is the original medical basis of standard addiction definitions. But even in this area, almost all experts agree that the psychological aspect of substance abuse is the much more difficult and pernicious one to deal with. With respect to practically all addictions to psychoactive substances, physical detoxification is generally completed in three days to a week. Then the real work begins. There are certainly obsessive-compulsive disorders/psychological addictions which are very easy to live out on-line; things like gaming, gambling and shopping. In such cases, it's not the internet as such which is addictive, rather it acts as an incredibly easy, comfortable conduit for such behaviour - mangling McLuhan, medium rather than message. Then there's the area of social networking; myspace, facebook, twitter (even, dare I suggest, Minds-Eye? .-)), etc. Second Life and the chat- rooms. I can accept that a minority may seem to develop addictive symptoms in this area, but I think we should be very careful here. Such areas are zones of interpersonal, social communication. I have a suspicion that people who develop on-line related problems in this area are generally those who would have problems anyway - an example that strikes me is those who have massive social difficulties as a result of extremely low feelings of self-esteem, who are able to socially react through the anonymous protection of their computer, but don't have the personal and social skills to integrate this into their off-line lives. On the other hand, the web can also be a blessing and enrichment for many an Eleanor Rigby. Francis On 1 Mai, 18:46, Rosey <[email protected]> wrote: > Priorities? > > Family > Friends > Schoolwork > Work > Writing > Housework and Errands > Outside Leisure activities > > On May 1, 9:52 am, e_space <[email protected]> wrote: > > > not a mock question...i was wondering what your priorities were on a > > personal level...sorry if u took offense to the ? > > > On May 1, 3:44 am, Rosey <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > Is that a question or a mock statement? > > > > Priorities are responsibilities. Things that shouldn't be > > > procrastinated due to the "just five more minutes" ideal. Some people > > > have obligations. > > > > On Apr 30, 9:12 pm, e_space <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > > dont mean to be nosey...but what are your priorities...can you share? > > > > > On Apr 30, 6:14 pm, Rosey <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > > > First off, I'd like to thank everyone for the wonderful comments. I > > > > > appreciate it. I do believe that internet addiction is a seriously > > > > > ignored condition. Studies and research have proven that people who > > > > > abuse the internet tend to be withdrawn and not alert to their > > > > > surroundings. They prefer to be online than enjoy life. I've been > > > > > weening myself off of the internet and it's working. I make sure that > > > > > unless I have a report to do, I use it no more than 1 1/2 hours per > > > > > day. I try. I've reestablished a connection with my priorities and I > > > > > am no longer going to put the internet ahead of anything. I remember > > > > > feeling withdrawals to the point where when I would step out of the > > > > > house I couldn't wait to go back online. It was bad. I am ashamed to > > > > > admit it, but it's the truth. Wish everyone the best and remember > > > > > what your priorities are.- Hide quoted text - > > > > > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - > > > > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - > > > - Show quoted text - --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups ""Minds Eye"" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Minds-Eye?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
