From: utzoo!utcsrgv!perelgut
Newsgroups: net.misc
Title: Refresh on Addiction Discussion
Article-I.D.: utcsrgv.382
Posted: Fri Jun 11 11:35:03 1982
Received: Fri Jun 11 12:38:49 1982

When I originally submitted the articles on computer addiction to the
news network, I had a particular discussion in mind.  I have since been
surprised and amused by the way things have gone.  The discussion seems
to center around a number of people who are incensed that they might be
addicts, with the typical bunch who find the discussion not to their
liking.  There have been numerous fascinating contributions about what
is addicition, and what is society's duty to protect itself from addicts
of any sort.  This has even extended into the perennial NORML arguments
for marijuana, a topic in its own right.

However, my original thesis is not so much "are we addicted", but what
response should we take to the attitude society is taking that we are
addicted, and if not the computer professional, then the child in the
arcade.  Look at the power of attitudes.  Cigarettes and alcohol are
much more damaging than marijuana has been shown to be and yet which of
the above are legal.  Drunk drivers should be charged with (attempted)
murder if caught!

The concept of a computer addict may well be "horseshit", but denying it
will not stave off any ill effects should society deem us crazed lunatics.

I am finding the discussion very interesting, let's keep it hot.
--- steve perelgut ---
--- decvax!utzoo!utcsrgv!perelgut ---