Only 15% of Gamers are Internet Addicts
- Thread starter Afro Thunder
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Roland Hood
Member
Any data on their BMI?
Kai Dracon
Writing a dinosaur space opera symphony
Roland Hood said:
To the great dissapointment of pudgy geeks who like to imagine all the other geeks are a lot fatter than themselves, there is a disturbing trend toward THIN pale geeks who obsess over Everquest. They may still look pale and sickly, but it's in the opposite direction.
(I don't know how many true Internet Addicts I've met who could be snapped in twain like a twig. Lack of proper nutrition and care has more than one possible effect on the human body.)
D
Deleted member 4784
Unconfirmed Member
Am I the only person who finds most of this stuff about "internet addiction" totally retarded? Why is it that if somebody spends hours on any given recreational activity, it isn't deemed an addiction; but if it involves anything electronic (videogames or the internet) it is considered to be "addictive" behavior?
Most addictive behavior results in a deviation from social activity. IE, if a group of people routinely go out drinking together, it is considered normal recreational behavior; but if a person routinely drinks by themselves, it is considered an addiction. I wish that more of these "studies" would take into consideration that posting on forums or leveling with friends in an MMORPG is still a social environment and an indicative form of recreational activity rather than addictive behavior. I'd rather play an MMORPG than go clubbing and I fail to see how my time committed towards the former would make my activity an "addictive" one.
Most addictive behavior results in a deviation from social activity. IE, if a group of people routinely go out drinking together, it is considered normal recreational behavior; but if a person routinely drinks by themselves, it is considered an addiction. I wish that more of these "studies" would take into consideration that posting on forums or leveling with friends in an MMORPG is still a social environment and an indicative form of recreational activity rather than addictive behavior. I'd rather play an MMORPG than go clubbing and I fail to see how my time committed towards the former would make my activity an "addictive" one.
Well ... I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that it's not necessarily good for your body. That's like saying that junk food isn't an addiction because what about all those people that eat too much health food? Also, it doesn't have to be some kind of chemical dependence to be an addiction. Damn, look at weed. You tell me that weed isn't addictive and I'll show you all the permafried dipshits that I went to high school with that did nothing but smoke up.
That being said, I do agree that the studies are kind of poorly thought out (and sensationalized). I spend a lot of time on schoolwork, plenty of time on the net, plenty of time playing videogames. Yet I can still fit in time for my girlfriend (who's busy as hell too anyway) and I can still occasionally hang out with my buddies. Plus, I'm still in reasonably healthy shape, but I probably spend more time doing unhealthy things than those studies would deem acceptable.
Prince of Space
Banned
Woohoo! I'm a minority!
SatelliteOfLove
Member
So...someone playing an on-line game spends more time on-line than one who doesn't play one? By Jove, Holmes! You've done it again!
I think there's just a li-ttle too much sensationalism mixed in here for its own good; it drowns out a good message of easing off a bit from sitting down for so long at the computer.
I think there's just a li-ttle too much sensationalism mixed in here for its own good; it drowns out a good message of easing off a bit from sitting down for so long at the computer.
Waychel said:
Deviation from social activity is a possible symptom, but you can still shoot coke with friends or drink with friends and be addicted. Addiction is how badly you need it physically/mentally/financially, not if you do it with friends. What is more disturbing is trying to deny an addiction by claiming to hang out with other addicts online (MMORPGS and boards).
If you need to play an MMORPG it is an addiction because you are paying your monthly internet, electricity, subscription fees, computer maintentance. It is a habit and you have to pay your "dealer", only he comes as a credit card bill once a month - instead of on a street corner with a hooded sweatshirt.