A recent study that appears in the October issue of CNS Spectrums: The International Journal of Neuropsychiatric Medicine reports findings that resulted from a telephone survey given to 2,581 people. More specific and interesting results are reported int he article linked below but here's a quote.
More than one in eight U.S. adults finds it hard to stay away from the Internet for several days at a time and about one in 11 tries to hide his or her online habit, according to a study released on Tuesday.
This isn't surprising given the popularity of online pornography, gaming sites and other sites like MySpace.com. And perhaps it also doesn't surprise me because I myself flirt with the possibility of an accidental internet overdose. It's addicting. Many times, I've gone online to check my e-mail. Then I check Job Schmob. Once I read everything there was to read, I start looking at blogs or news sites. After I grow bored of that, I say to myself, "Hmmm, OK where else can I go?" and then I end up roaming or doing some searches about things I've seen on TV, etc. After that I look at the clock and I say, "Hey, Blogger! You better get to bed!" And then comes, "OK, well, alright, just five more minutes!" And then I ended up spending an hour more than I intended.
Doing what exactly? Nothing constructive, just putzing around the internet or playing my favorite VH1 game, "I Love Toys".
I hate that I just admitted that weakness to you.
So, no pensive commentary from me on this today. I wouldn't have a clue where to start on this subject. Just digesting it myself and seeing what you JobSchmobbers have to say on the subject.
Dharmadee(10/20/2006)
I have a suggestion...I have been caught up by the Internet in the same way, and found myself surfing just for the heck of it. When I decided to set some goals, and achieve more success in my life, I looked into taking classes. Now, I am enrolled as a full time student at an accredited online university (the University of Phoenix) and I use my "surfing time" to do my homework, and work toward my degree. It is a bit more intensive, but I feel that I am not just wasting my time, and I will have something to show for my internet experience.
just me(10/20/2006)
Oh boy, I think I'm right up there with you. My wife always teases me about it and says she's going to send me to Betty Ford. =) Is it the over stimulation that we have gotten used to? That's what I feel like it is with me. I can't just sit anymore.
JobSchmobber Community Comments
it's mind blogging (10/19/2006)
What more can one say, you hit it square. Before the "internet", there was the bbs, comic mags, Star Trek, Frogger and pong! The internet today is mind boggling, but it still hasn't reached puberty. Having information at your finger tips was once just a dream, now it's an overload. I guess the trick is to find a healthy balance.
This isn't surprising given the popularity of online pornography, gaming sites and other sites like MySpace.com. And perhaps it also doesn't surprise me because I myself flirt with the possibility of an accidental internet overdose. It's addicting. Many times, I've gone online to check my e-mail. Then I check Job Schmob. Once I read everything there was to read, I start looking at blogs or news sites. After I grow bored of that, I say to myself, "Hmmm, OK where else can I go?" and then I end up roaming or doing some searches about things I've seen on TV, etc. After that I look at the clock and I say, "Hey, Blogger! You better get to bed!" And then comes, "OK, well, alright, just five more minutes!" And then I ended up spending an hour more than I intended.
post to digg | 
post to del.icio.us | 
e-mail it
