It has become evident to me (even in the creation of this blog) that I have developed somewhat of a problem. Over the last few weeks, months, who knows how long... I have become a complete addict of the internet. The laptop I purchased in September has become my enabler. I feel the need to have its comforting glow by my side whenever possible. I am constantly plugged into chat/e-mail/twitter as to surf the data stream with each incoming wave. I check blogs, news, e-mail in a way a hungry man checks his fridge, over and over, even when he knows what's already there, hoping new food will appear. I think part of it is the appeal of information, received at a rate unprecedented in our history. To be constantly connected to the larger world, to something bigger than yourself. I think it is also being connected to a larger community. The internet is home to many of these in the shape of forums, blogs, popular websites, and even YouTube has burgeoned into its own community with corresponding demagogues and celebrities (CTFxC!!!). After much resistance and ridicule, I have even joined onto Twitter. It caters to that hunger for instant information. It provides an outlet to share that thought or crazy event when you don't have a friend by your side to immediately share with. It is an appeal to the ether to be noticed, to matter. Perhaps I am over analyzing, but there is a certain joy of finding a new follower, or seeing a response to a twitter that vaguely resembles that long lost feeling of getting a letter in the mail. Recognition.
Even in writing a blog, there is sense of exhibitionism, perhaps? Or a hope for intellectual engagement, or a public diary? Who knows. The words left hear may never be read by more than a few compassionate friends, and my mother should she gain a better grasp (and access) to the great interweb. But there is a sense of release.
That being said, this very post only furthers the problem, but the thought was burning in my mind, and it seemed appropriate to let it vent.
What has your experience been with the addiction? With Twitter? With random checking of YouTube?
