Internet Usage

[Jon885]

I was just reading the back cover of a book called Digitopia. I think one of the points made in the book, is that too much of the Internet is a bad thing. I'm not entirely sure, because I haven't read the book. But it got me to thinking I sure spend a lot of time on the Internet, and I find myself getting impatient with little things, in real life. I think it could be, because I'm use to fast results from the Internet.

It's obviously detrimental to your physical health to be on the Internet all the time, because that means you're inactive. But what about your mental well being? I've found that the Internet can be addictive. I end up going on the Internet, even when there's something else I want to do that would probably be more enjoyable. I think it's because I'm expecting something to happen. I'm expecting somebody to pop up on aim, or I'm expecting a message to be answered, and it gives me satisfaction when either of those two things happen. I think the Internet has made me expect instant results, and that could be a reason why I get impatient. So what's your opinion on excessive Internet usage, or even how the Internet has effected how we think today?

[kyaa the catlord]

If it causes you to give up on doing the things you enjoy, you may be an addict. Now go outside and play, Jon. Or I'll get my belt! :P

[Jay]

I don't know about anyone else, but I sure use the internet too much.

When I'm not online I'm either sleeping, reading or out. Minus eating, of course.

[Jon885]

Heh well kyaa it's only sometimes that that happens. I just thought it was interesting.

[MeneerDijk]

I haven't really noticed my large amounts of online time affecting real life judgement. (or maybe i'm in denial). It's more like online and RL are opposed to eachother. When i'm online i'm reachable through several instant messaging protocals and check my mail regularly. But in the offline world is try to limit being reachable by switching my cellphone off. I hate being a slave to my cellphone, i usually try to have people calling my home phone number or leaving a voicemail, wich i check once every couple of days.

Maybe my RL IS influenced by internet usage :O

[kyaa the catlord]

Since my job requires me to spend a lot of time on the internet, well, the entirety of my time on the internet really, I tend to try to find things to do other than surfing the eb when I am free. I still do it, but I'd rather watch anime or doramas or something.

[karob]

I feel the same way Kyaa. Maybe if we all still had dial-up we wouldn't use the internet so much. Down with broadband... save our youth!

[Kass]

Too much of anything is a bad thing. Even too much water can kill you.

[kyaa the catlord]

I feel the same way Kyaa. Maybe if we all still had dial-up we wouldn't use the internet so much. Down with broadband... save our youth!

Noooooo, dial-up... *turns white* noooooo.

[karob]

I will have to do some research but I believe there are places in Japan where you can get a 20mbps+ fiber connection. If that kind of a connection comes to the states I don't think I could pull myself away from the computer.

Seriously though... I am addicted to the internet.

[Jay]

^ I'm with him. I'd be lost without broadband.

[Sho™]

I feel the same way Kyaa. Maybe if we all still had dial-up we wouldn't use the internet so much. Down with broadband... save our youth!

Are you kidding? I have dial-up and I am always online. I'm an Internet junkie and I am not ashamed to admit it.

I can spend a few days away from my computer if I am preoccupied with other things; but after some time I would need to get online. I couldn't survive without it and I'm sure many people here would agree. :P

[mangamuscle]

Are you kidding? I have dial-up and I am always online. I'm an Internet junkie and I am not ashamed to admit it.
The minute you taste sweet good broadband there is no coming back, it is like when Az said he is addicted to ramen, but never going back to the instant ramen stuff :D

[mugen]

I will have to do some research but I believe there are places in Japan where you can get a 20mbps+ fiber connection. If that kind of a connection comes to the states I don't think I could pull myself away from the computer.

Seriously though... I am addicted to the internet.

i have a 20mbps ADSL2 connection :p. It's not that i am addicted to the internet. It's just that I always have a lot of questions in my head that need to be answerd and i'm to lazy to go to the library unless i need it for school :)

[Praetorian]

I will have to do some research but I believe there are places in Japan where you can get a 20mbps+ fiber connection. If that kind of a connection comes to the states I don't think I could pull myself away from the computer.


You have those in Northern Europe too. They don't even cost much. I think I'm going to change to it too, seeing as it's actually cheaper than the 7mbps connection I'm currently using.

Don't they have those in North America?

[whispering]

You have those in Northern Europe too. They don't even cost much. I think I'm going to change to it too, seeing as it's actually cheaper than the 7mbps connection I'm currently using.

Don't they have those in North America?
Other then downloading, everything above 2Mbit/s is useless IMO. Anyway the fastest here ive seen is a 24Mbit/s ADSL2 connection (is about 60-70€/month), though i think its only available in few big citys.

[Trump]

If you play FPS games, you notice the difference between some of the lower speed services (DSL, cable, etc)

[Sardaukar]

The internet has desensitised me. There are very few things that truly shock me anymore.

[co_delphi]

Too much of anything is a bad thing. Even too much water can kill you.

Yes, I believe that is commonly referred to as drowning :)

[Frankey-eh]

spend time surfing even when you could be doing other stuff? Where do you GO? Do you just type in a random keyword on google and start following links?

For me, I go online to check emails and forums, then emails and forums... until I get bored and I'm sure nothing will change, then I go on to do real work that needs to be done.

[Alphonse v.2]

I spend a lot of time infront of the computer, doing anything and everything. And I really only noticed two things; I have gained an explosive temper, especialy when something I have little or no control over turn out to an unwanted result or I am in a bad mood and someone does something that is just plain stupid I scream at them. And I can't emotionally react. A lot of the time someone says a joke where everyone laughs but me. But thats just me.

[karob]

You have those in Northern Europe too. They don't even cost much. I think I'm going to change to it too, seeing as it's actually cheaper than the 7mbps connection I'm currently using.

Don't they have those in North America?

Not that I know of. The quickest connection I can get around NorCal is 7-8mbps cable connection. I think SanFran has something quicker but it's god awful expensive to live there so forget that place.

[Lettuce]

I feel the same way Kyaa. Maybe if we all still had dial-up we wouldn't use the internet so much. Down with broadband... save our youth!
Hehe, that's my motto. I had a cable connection once upon a time, but after having my daughter I downgraded to dial-up. Basically, having a child left me little free time to play on the internet, but I also don't want her complexion to be monitor glow blue. :)

[setrict]

I'm definately addicted. If I travel to a friends or relatives place, I always seem to find my self wanting access. I love having so much information within easy reach. For me the Internet has displaced TV, movies, and reading for entertainment. I'm quite honestly lost without it.

In a sense, I think I actually learn less when using the net for problem solving. Back in college when the Internet meant ftp, and a few gopher sites I actually had to spend some time hunting the information I needed - and usually that meant learning a lot more than I actually needed by having to read books or periodicals to find that info. Now it's a google search and a few minutes browsing at most. It makes me more productive in the short term, but I can't help but feel it may actually be worse in the long term.

It's like a self-induced ADD.

[Jon885]

spend time surfing even when you could be doing other stuff? Where do you GO? Do you just type in a random keyword on google and start following links?

For me, I go online to check emails and forums, then emails and forums... until I get bored and I'm sure nothing will change, then I go on to do real work that needs to be done.

Rika if this question was directed at me usually I go to message boards and chatrooms. If it wasn't then my mistake.