From: utzoo!laura Newsgroups: net.misc Title: Re: computer addiction? Article-I.D.: utzoo.2156 Posted: Fri Jun 11 05:57:43 1982 Received: Fri Jun 11 05:57:43 1982 References: eiss.341 Hmmm. Anybody want to tell us where alienation begins and independence ends? It seems to me that the argument goes "computer addiciton/children's electronic toys ---> alienation" --- but I cant help but think that some alienation is very good for some people. I dont know of a single intelligent person who never felt that "maybe there is something wrong with me" at some stage in his/her life. Public school provides too much of an opportunity for a bright child to realize that by virtue of being superior to the "average child" that teachers are taught to aim for, he cannot help but feel some alienation. Yes, and it is a sad fact that if you are bright you are going to be stuck with this for as long as you live, so you might as well get on with it. Alienation often breeds independence; surely one does not want a race of apathetic, friendly sheep with traditional personal attatchments??? Alienation is one of those wonderful catch words which pschologists and amateur psychologists love to toss at people as a sop to the fact that for some reason or another they are "socially unacceptable" (another favorite). What most peole need is to be told that "X is why you are alienated", "X has some benefits of course, or you wouldnt indulge in it now", --- now go away and make your own decision. There have been times when I thought that had I been stupid I would not be as unhappy as I am now (nearly all of grade school, in fact) but I am not trading my head in for anything. While it is all very fine to have compassion for one's fellow man, I think that as long as he is not committing a crime, he should be left alone in peace -- he may not exactly approve of the activities of the do-gooder, either. laura creighton decvax!utzoo!laura p.s. Hmm -- now if you make computer addicition a crime, you had better be pretty sure how you can nail me. I play about 14 hours of rogue a week ...am I suspect?? Oh, but then I dont watch any television...and most people watch more than 14 hours per week am I safe?...do I have to log my computer playing time in somewhere so that big brother can check??? I have friends who have no interest in science at all -- does *that* free me ....just that I have friends is that good enough....... laura