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 ---