Addicted to your screen?
A short while ago, the social network Meetup launched "Unplug Your Friends. They want to get people away from the screen and into the wild and scary thing that is commonly referred to as the real world.
It's an epidemic. It can strike anyone. It begins harmlessly enough... maybe with a cell phone, an online social network profile, or an IM. But before long, the electronic screens invade every corner of your life.
There's a name for this tragic and extremely annoying condition: Screen Addiction.
But there is hope. Send an intervention to someone you care about! Help them take the first step towards recovery.- unplugyourfriends.com
Loading video
This is obviously intended to be a viral marketing campaign. But it is an interesting message. I know that I spend way too much time in front of a screen, and I also feel somewhat addicted when I am away from one for a longer period of time.
I am not sure there is anything really wrong with this. Every person is addicted to something. Every one of us has something in our lives that we want to do more than other things. There is nothing wrong with being drawn towards something you are interested in.
The problem is, if that thing grows to a point where it is the only thing you do. Where there is no other life, besides that one thing - regardless if it is behind a screen or doing something else.
Comments
Thomas Baekdal - Sep. 11, 2008
...having a little boy however is like living with a built in buzzer- Milena
He he - yeah, that is probably true :)
But, Now I will go into cooking mode... I am starving :)
Mael - Sep. 11, 2008
I just hope screens will be as cute and juicy that is the magic world behind it in this movie.
That's just why I make this job. I love it.
Adam O - Sep. 11, 2008
I was at the dConstruct conference last Friday all about social networks. This just rings true of everything they was saying there, but the networks behind it are happy as they're making money from our addictions.
Good job they're not paying us per status update or the drivel that some people put out will drown us all.
Ovi Demetrian Jr - Sep. 12, 2008
Social networks which start out in front of the screen actually get people to go out. Meetup is a good example of this. I've been using the site for almost two years now and I'm always surprised at the kinds of Meetups that there are in my area. Even Twitter can do this. I don't think being glued to your screen is as big of an issue as it's sometimes made out to be.
Published: Sep. 11, 2008 in notes
FaceBook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
Flickr
Milena - Sep. 11, 2008
Baekdal, that was such a charming video. Thank you for posting it. I agree with you that everyone is addicted to something. Some days I'm in a cooking mode and I pour over recipes and obsess over ingredients. Other days, I'm into a book and all I want is that and no interruptions... having a little boy however is like living with a built in buzzer. I cannot give my undivided attention to anything else because he is the only one who really can claim that privilege. I think that reason alone saves me from remaining in front of my computer screens for long stretches at a time.