Comments on: You’re an internet addict. Yes, you.

By: beatbabe

beatbabe — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 02:20:21 +0000

Hi, My name is Beatbabe and I am addicted to the Internet.

[everyone say hi]

By: Ilya Kochanov

Ilya Kochanov — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 20:19:07 +0000

I will construct a short program which will rid afflicted individuals of this terrible disease.

It is a 5 step program and involves methods which might be considered unorthodox or just plain dangerous.

This will help you however, and will include a weekly news letter conveniently provided via email, blogging to document your success, and a group Twitter for on-the-go updates regarding this terrible addiction.

Oh, wait.

By: PatB

PatB — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 20:06:51 +0000

HSO, you had me rolling about the connectivity. I’m the same way. I don’t have to be online, but dammit, when I need to get online it better damn well work.

By: HSO

HSO — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 19:12:55 +0000

Hello. My name is HSO, and I’m internet addict. Do we have a 12-step (12-bit?) program yet?

Seriously, I do get upset when my broadband internet connection goes down for longer than, say, 20 minutes. We once had an outage that lasted 12 hours and I was shaking with withdrawal. Years ago, before broadband (back in the dark ages), I had subscribed to two dial-up providers, just in case one wouldn’t connect, which was something that happened a lot. I even had one of the free dial-up connections with custom, ad-ridden browser-from-hell installed on my PC as a last-ditch contingency … you know, for those dire emergencies.

That said, I don’t feel the need to be on-line 24/7. I just want it to work when I am on the computer. I’s needs me internets. The first thing I do when I go on vacation is find a nearby internet cafe. It’s very sad.

By: PatB

PatB — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:58:25 +0000

If you shake with rage when someone calls you a n00b, you are probably addicted to the internet.

If you have more than three chat windows open simultaneously, you are probably addicted to the internet.

If you have conversations with anyone about who is in the top 8 of your friends list on Myspace, you are probably addicted to the internet.

Can anyone name others?

By: jack

jack — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:25:57 +0000

i wonder if it’s a mental disease to find anything that can be considered a mental disease.

By: Ilya Kochanov

Ilya Kochanov — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 13:21:29 +0000

Kristie, I pretty much addressed those points. Read between the lines. I’m not over reacting, I’m taking the article for what it is. Regardless of criteria, they are classifying extended internet usage and dependency as a disease. One which most of us can say we have.

By: Kiltak

Kiltak — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:36:27 +0000

Ilya: She has a point you know

By: Kristie

Kristie — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 11:00:26 +0000

Hmmmm taking things out of context? Sounds like you’re over reacting a little. Just read this bit again from the original article before you succumb to media hype hysteria…

“According to addiction therapist John Macdonald, of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, computer use becomes problematic when the behaviour starts affecting people’s lives.

For example, is the person pre-occupied with getting, and staying, online? “If they’re not able to engage in it, is it emotionally upsetting for them?

“The real proof in the pudding: is the amount that you do causing any problems in your life?” Mr. Macdonald says.”

I’m not trying to be mean, well I am, but er, not in a bad way. I just felt sorry for poor Mr Macdonald for a second, he sounds like a reasonable guy with a genuine concern, who probably doesn’t deserve to have his eyebrows insulted.