Internet Addiction

Good day ‘citizens’ of SPN,

There is something about a conversation that is much more harmonious than an Internet conversation. We hardly participate in descriptive writing when we are trying to write a post quickly. Body language, touch and tone/frequency of the message are all lost over an electronic medium. This leads to greater misunderstanding of personal viewpoints and arguments. It also leads to something I call “impersonalization”. It leads to a state of mind where the people having the conversation/argument have no personal reference or connection to the person they are speaking too. Thus it can be alienating as well.

However there are some technologies that have the potential to revolutionize and correct this fallibility. However, they will not be widespread any time soon.
ASIDE: some newer technologies might help us in the near time future. Telepresence is a revolutionary new technology straight from science fiction novels. HERE HAVE LOOK:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=rcfNC_x0VvE

My point is; the Internet is just what our wandering minds are suited for. Shortened attention spans crave the google search button. Internet addiction is the sad outcome. More and more people are spending more and more time online. When we are online, conversing with people, we should be weary not only about what we say, but how we say it, and most importantly HOW OFTEN WE SAY IT.


My question is:
How wired is this young Sikh community?

And does the teachings of the Guru’s in any way make us more or less dependant on the Internet? How does the Sikh community ferry against other religious groups in terms of online time?

How much time do you spend online?
How much time do you spend on SPN?

Although the subject itself is personal, I think it should be addressed. The Internet in some cases may become a serious impediment to the development of our psyche. The more time we spend communicating through electronic channels the less time we have communicating through face to face contact (the more we distance ourselves from real world scenario’s and environments). The more time we spend online the less time we have talking face to face with immediate family.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/general-discussion/18698-internet-addiction.html
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=18698

So how much time do you spend ‘online’?

This includes time spent on:
Messaging (emails/ text messaging on cell phone or through messenger)
Surfing the Internet for fun and leisure
Researching on the Net for gathering work or school related information (include the amount of time you drift off to do something else online)
How much streamlined video you watch? (this includes television)
Do you enjoy online gambling?
Do you enjoy online gaming?


The Internet is undoubtedly a very powerful tool. The world is literally at your fingertips. You will be bombarded with monumental amounts of information; overwhelming yourself can be easy.

My advice to everyone is, if it is not work related spend no more than 2 hours a day online. If your work requires you to be connected, try reducing what I call “drift time” (the time not spent actually performing the task at hand). Also on your days off, pledge to yourself that you will not turn on a computer screen, AND FOLLOW THROUGH (this is a very difficult task for some…even I had a hard time at first).


Getting caught up in a debate on this website is tiresome. While typing away responses, we can sometime watch the clock fast-track and burn half an hour with ease. (I just did it typing and putting together this post).

Internet addiction although may seem trivial at first may become more serious. It is not synonymous with substance abuse because it shows little correlation with depression and it is not visible and kept quite. It can target anyone.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=vMhTtjAzgOA

How addicted are you? Well answer these honestly and you will find out:
http://www.netaddiction.com/resources/internet_addiction_test.htm


PS: As an SPN member, I don’t think we should reward people on “who has the most posts” on this site. Or who got the “the highest score” knocking around a ball on a computer screen. I think it only adds to the problem. (take note “arcade master”)...


cheers,

surf safe, have fun, but don’t overdo it. Everything in Moderation.

 
Do share your immediate thoughts or reactions on this issue? We value your views! Login Now! or Sign Up Today! to share your views with us.. Gurfateh!

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A very good post.
Yes Sir, I shall qualify for net addict. My day begins with SPN and also evening ends with SPN. I shall break this habit.

Sinisterj i

You are right!!!!!!!

S: As an SPN member, I don’t think we should reward people on “who has the most posts” on this site. Or who got the “the highest score” knocking around a ball on a computer screen. I think it only adds to the problem. (take note “arcade master”)...
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=18698

But some of are on the Internet doing things for work in the early morning. Are on the Internet during working hours. Then come home and do more work on the Internet. And we sneak over to SPN for a break or to learn about Sikhism or just be plain ornery. We shouldn't be rewarded either. We are losing our eyesight and damaging our spines.

The amount of time a person spends on internet depends on his/her personal life
I don't think spending time on internet is wrong.It is much better
than watching T.V., gossiping with people,reading newspaper etc
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=18698

Internet is one of the best way to learn whatever you want

kds ji
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=18698

Neither do I. It also depends on what you use the Internet for. The Internet is a gold-mine if you know where to look. An education.

Well, lets all be genuine to ourselves for a moment. If your alternatives to the internet is watching tv, gossiping and reading the newspaper then your better off on the net.

The Internet IS a fantastic place to learn new things!

BUT

It is not the only place. There are some things you cannot learn on the internet.

It cannot and should not be a place where we substitute our existing world with a virtual one. There is something about staring into a computer screen, burning my retina away, that I find particularly horrifying.

A computer cannot hug you. It doesn’t love you. Its expressionless. It emotionless. It doesn’t let off a warm smile or a laugh; like the beautiful girl next door does when you tell her your favourite joke. Life becomes empty and alienating if your primary means of communication to others is through this medium.

Spend time watching a sunset, watch the clouds roll by when your at a picnic with friends or family, star gaze with a telescope at night…. Staring into a computer screen will never give you the same feeling of euphoria.

Look at the grandness of the scheme and stand in awe whenever you have some leisure time. Meditate or do Yoga if you have to.

Participate by all means in debate, sports and dining with friends/family. Participate in discourse on the internet as well. But if you are spending 20+ hours a week of your leisure time on a computer (not work related) then you might want to cut back. It is simply not healthy (mentally and physically).


And remember:
The CD is never as good as the live symphony

Well its a personal issue why someone is doing internet.We can ask 100 questions to people that instead of this someone should do this or instead of that someone should do that.

And here, you can check if it's a problem:
Sociopathic: A view into the disturbed psyche (Rated R 18+)
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=18698

Go to the "quizzes" section. There's other interesting stuff here too.

Now members, listen up;

Try this one simple thing. Turn off your computer on the weekend and don’t turn it on for 2 days! If you have trouble performing this simple task then you might be addicted.

I find it difficult sometimes, when I’m not busy, not to turn on my computer.

An addict pushing a computers power button is synonymous with a smoker lighting a cigarette. They are both done unconsciously. They are both addicted. One relieves anxiety through the smoke the other through fiber optic channels (the latter is just health-wise more harmful than the former). (some also relieve stress and anxiety through food)
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=18698

THE DISTINCTIONS:
SPN is not a standard website to learn off (as you would from a book). WHY? BECAUSE ….It talks back to you. It’s a chat room. Each member has his own unique little virtually constructed personality that they project onto other members. And it has become a community of opinions surfing around on some server in virtual space.

For those of you averaging more than 1 post a day…try this….don’t log in for an entire week? Can you succeed?

Although I am not averaging one post a day… I will participate…I will write back to everyone in one week….wish me luck!
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=18698

I am going to give it a try…..and will provide SPN members on how much my life changed over the course of the week…due to my lack of participation on SPN. (for better or for worse...i shall keep a diary)

Starting

NOW!