Internet Addiction

[TheDudeParticipant 724]

Anybody else feel like they spend a bit too much time online?

Internet addiction is a really hot topic for me at the minute, and something I’ve been actively researching for a couple of years now.

It seems everyone now knows about the s~~~ness that is TV. Many men on this very site, are proud to announce they’ve done away with theirs altogether… and they’re right to proud. TV is mainly garbage.

However, I believe the internet is something far more addictive. You see, with TV there is rarely anything on worth watching. It’s so easy to turn it off and do something else with my time. But the internet is a different animal altogether. There is ALWAYS something interesting, novel or entertaining on the world wide web. So much so, that I actually find it quite difficult to unplug for any length of time. I’ve tried all kinds of ways to limit my time online but I don’t stick to them for long.

I guess I just want to hear your takes on this issue. There’s no doubt the internet is an amazing thing. Hell!… how would I have found this site without it? I suppose it’s just a little concerning when I see how hopelessly addicted people to their devices. The problem is getting so prevalent now, that some countries have opened internet addiction help centres and boot camps.

[MGTOW_MikeParticipant 6253]

TheDude wrote:

Many men on this very site, are proud to announce they’ve done away with theirs altogether… and they’re right to proud

TV is the biggest pile of s~~~….it is a mind control box to distract the public from the real issues in this world. The elite love to keep us distracted.

A tranquil mind is neither happy nor sad, it is uninfluenced by external conditions.

[joetechParticipant]

I think the internet has replaced TV for me. But, I connect with other people on the internet…not with TV. So, although I spend alot of time on either this forum, or watching youtube videos, or doing research on various topics, I feel like I get more out of being on the internet than I do out of watching TV.

"Don't follow in my footsteps...I stepped in something."

[TheDudeParticipant 724]

MGTOW_Mike wrote:

TheDude wrote:

Many men on this very site, are proud to announce they’ve done away with theirs altogether… and they’re right to proud

TV is the biggest pile of s~~~….it is a mind control box to distract the public from the real issues in this world. The elite love to keep us distracted.

Totally agree. I went five years without watching TV and didn’t miss it one iota. But I was never “pulled in” by TV like I am the internet. It’s like society has swapped one for the other. Nobody really cares for TV anymore. It’s just on while they update their Fakebook statuses.

[TheDudeParticipant 724]

joetech wrote:

I feel like I get more out of being on the internet than I do out of watching TV.

Same here… but unfortunately, not everyone uses the web for enrichment purposes. Most people use it for social media and cat videos.

I dunno… maybe I’m overthinking things, but I seem to remember people being far more outgoing and social before the internet took off (myself included).

[GnosticParticipant 2491]

TheDude wrote:

Same here… but unfortunately, not everyone uses the web for enrichment purposes. Most people use it for social media and cat videos.

I dunno… maybe I’m overthinking things, but I seem to remember people being far more outgoing and social before the internet took off (myself included).

I don’t give a damn on how other people use the internet. I only care about am I benefiting more then the downside of internet.

I did the cost benefit analysis and find that being outgoing and social in this blue pill world bring more negative then internet can bring me. Just being social with the few people your trust is better then ticking the “outgoing” bracket with people that bring more negatives in your life.

Don’t think being social and outgoing is a good thing because society told you so. Do your own research and cost benefit analysis. Maybe in certain part of the world it is true, but it is surely not the case in my area.

There is no magic in MGTOW, just recognition of the truth and logical decision how to avoid dangers. The red pill is but the truth, it is no magical potion. Do not think in this modern world men have no longer have natural enemies, men are prey to women and government.

[GregB0Participant]

TheDude wrote:

However, I believe the internet is something far more addictive. You see, with TV there is rarely anything on worth watching. It’s so easy to turn it off and do something else with my time. But the internet is a different animal altogether. There is ALWAYS something interesting,

Many studies have confirmed the addictive nature of the Internet for many years. The instant gratification, ability to create your own on-line personal and live your dream life make it easily more addictive than TV. Life is 3D and the internet can often approach this level of interaction.

joetech wrote:

ut, I connect with other people on the internet…not with TV.

Unless your have a psychosis, TV really is one way, however as many local TV personalities can confirm, stalking does happen.

Having a purpose in life helps with developing a proper use for the Internet, but this does not even address the issue of Internet utilization on work place property during work hours.

​"​My father didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.​" - Clarence Buddinton Kelland

[AwakenedParticipant 35201]

If one chooses to use the internet to read and learn then it’s not very different then reading a book.

If one chooses to share opinions, ideas, beliefs etc. via forums like this and/or e-mail then it’s not very different then writing letters.

If one chooses to shop and order various products then it’s little different then when people would order from paper catalogues.

The point is that the internet has REPLACED many activities like the ones mentioned above, and nobody ever considered these “addictions”. Of course, people can go overboard, but I think that also has to do with what activities people are doing on the net and not just solely the amount of time spent.

In a World of Justin Beibers Be a Johnny Cash

[Anonymous 11]

I get a kick out of telling Facebook addicts that I don’t use it.

I’m doing invoicing right now which I hate so it’s too easy to pop over here and comment. This is the only social site where I the time spent is not time wasted.

I still like my local paper on dead trees, but I will access it online if it’s raining in the morning.

[Can’t Stump TrumpParticipant]

I use the internet for news, movies/TV, and this site, so no, not a minute too much.

Women are better at multitasking? Fucking up several things at once is not multitasking.

[TheDudeParticipant 724]

Gnostic wrote:

I did the cost benefit analysis and find that being outgoing and social in this blue pill world bring more negative then internet can bring me. Just being social with the few people your trust is better then ticking the “outgoing” bracket with people that bring more negatives in your life.

Don’t think being social and outgoing is a good thing because society told you so. Do your own research and cost benefit analysis. Maybe in certain part of the world it is true, but it is surely not the case in my area.

I’ve had similar thoughts to yours. I honestly don’t know if I’m addicted to the internet, or simply have nothing better to be doing with most of my time. Modern people (especially women) are hard f~~~ing work to be around. Perhaps my use is simply a natural retreat from the world, and totally jusified.

Here’s a good Ted Talk on addiction, that I think explains things better.

Ted Talk

[surfdude12Participant 4103]

I usually just click “settings” on Internet Explorer and list all super addictive websites I shouldn’t visit, thus blocking myself…works like a charm 🙂

But for real YES, super addicted , you’re 100% right. It’s like TV is coke but Internet is Heroin

[GnosticParticipant 2491]

TheDude wrote:

Gnostic wrote:

I did the cost benefit analysis and find that being outgoing and social in this blue pill world bring more negative then internet can bring me. Just being social with the few people your trust is better then ticking the “outgoing” bracket with people that bring more negatives in your life.

Don’t think being social and outgoing is a good thing because society told you so. Do your own research and cost benefit analysis. Maybe in certain part of the world it is true, but it is surely not the case in my area.

I’ve had similar thoughts to yours. I honestly don’t know if I’m addicted to the internet, or simply have nothing better to be doing with most of my time. Modern people (especially women) are hard f~~~ing work to be around. Perhaps my use is simply a natural retreat from the world, and totally jusified.

Here’s a good Ted Talk on addiction, that I think explains things better.

Ted Talk

EVERYONE IS ADDICTED TO WEARING CLOTHES.

Everyone is vulnerable to the addiction of wearing clothes. Where we go in society we are bombarded with the message “wear clothes, wear clothes.” From birth to the grave we are indoctrinated to wear clothes. We keep wearing clothes > 90% of the time. Nobody is free of this addiction. Nobody can help us in our addiction of wearing clothes. No matter how much bound to society a person has, he cannot get rid of the addiction of wearing clothes.

So why nobody cares about the addiction of wearing clothes? Because this addiction don’t harm a person livelihood, nor it impact his ability to put his life in order.

Addiction by itself is not a bad thing. I am addicted to reading, there is rarely a day I go by without reading something. And I do it at least 2 hours per day. Can you say that addiction is bad? Unless I stop working or eating to read porn then I have a problem. If reading gains me knowledge, sharpen my mind, improve my skills and don’t affect my ability to earn a living, this addiction is good.

Now, as for the internet, almost everyone has some kind of addiction to it because is has one of the best effort versus result ratio. For the low price of a few dozen dollars you have most of the entertainment the world have to offer, most of the knowledge the world has to offer, anything you need to improve your life if you know where to look.

You only need to worry if the internet will impact your work or health negatively. If not why worry about this addiction like the addiction to wear clothes?

If yes then do something about it, set a limit on how long you can interact with the internet. Look for other enjoyable alternatives. Being social and outgoing is but one of many available alternative, and in my opinion a bad cost vs benefit alternative. You have reading, jungle tracking, tinkering with codes or electronic or creating something etc etc.

AND THE ADDICTION TO SOCIETY VALIDATION IS WORST THEN INTERNET ADDICTION.

In the Ted talk you link, Ted is just using another addiction (Society validation) to fight drug addiction. Why choose a lackluster addiction when there are other better addiction to choose from?

There is no magic in MGTOW, just recognition of the truth and logical decision how to avoid dangers. The red pill is but the truth, it is no magical potion. Do not think in this modern world men have no longer have natural enemies, men are prey to women and government.

[GnosticParticipant 2491]

If you are not addicted to internet, you are addicted to something else that make you happy.

I did not elaborate much on why addiction to society validation is worst because it is common knowledge of MGTOW. Since you are new here I will elaborate a bit.

Society treat men as disposable utility, a walking ATM. To gain the validation of society you have to jumps through hoops and do a lot of thing that impact you negatively. Society is gynocentric, when you look you will see almost every act of earning society validation will benefit the women.

There is a more comprehensive read here

You Don't Need Female Validation

There is no magic in MGTOW, just recognition of the truth and logical decision how to avoid dangers. The red pill is but the truth, it is no magical potion. Do not think in this modern world men have no longer have natural enemies, men are prey to women and government.

[TheDudeParticipant 724]

@gnostic

Thank you for your perspective, Gnostic. I may be new on this site but I’ve been a MGTOW lurker for a couple of years now. I fully understand the principles behind what you’re saying and I try to live my life for me, each and every day. My blue pill indoctrination was strong, but with the amazing advice from the MGTOW community, I no longer require female or societal validation.

However, I do still feel that a lot of my internet time could be put to use on other things/projects… eg home improvements, exercising, learning an instrument, quality time with my kids etc…

There’s a plethora of information on web addiction out there. It’s been proven to stimulate the same pleasure centres of the brain as cocaine and gambling. So I think there’s perhaps a bit more going on here, than there first might seem.

I suppose everyone has to find the balance that works best for them.

[GnosticParticipant 2491]

TheDude wrote:

@gnostic

Thank you for your perspective, Gnostic. I may be new on this site but I’ve been a MGTOW lurker for a couple of years now. I fully understand the principles behind what you’re saying and I try to live my life for me, each and every day. My blue pill indoctrination was strong, but with the amazing advice from the MGTOW community, I no longer require female or societal validation.

However, I do still feel that a lot of my internet time could be put to use on other things/projects… eg home improvements, exercising, learning an instrument, quality time with my kids etc…

There’s a plethora of information on web addiction out there. It’s been proven to stimulate the same pleasure centres of the brain as cocaine and gambling. So I think there’s perhaps a bit more going on here, than there first might seem.

I suppose everyone has to find the balance that works best for them.

That’s great, check out what works for you.

Addiction is addiction, there is nothing more or less. whether they stimulate the brain pleasure centers or not is irrelevant.
Eating stimulate the brain pleasure centers, now does it suddenly make eating a sinister act?
http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2015/01/science_of_pleasure_food_and_drink_stimulate_the_brain.html

Yes, there is a plethora of information on web addiction, as well as porn addiction, games addiction and what not.
I agree certain addiction like drugs is outright bad. And porn / games addiction is bad if you cannot control it that it impact your life negatively.

However why there are so little information about marriage addiction, society validation addiction?
Almost every men want to marry, and still want to stay in a marriage even when it is a bad deal for them.
Almost every men what society recognition, can constantly seek it even when it means doing things that harm them.
There is no study the report this activity stimulate the brain pleasure center, does it makes these addiction alright? (I suspect it does, but the point is if you don’t hear the term stimulate brain pleasure center, does it makes it alright?)

Because women and society benefit from that type of addiction, so they let you keep that addiction.

Addiction is and addiction, don’t fall for the manipulation of words and think it is something else because you hear some bombastic words or some facts you don’t know.

Everyone is addicted to something, as long as the addiction does not affect us negatively, it does not get call out. If that addiction affect us negatively but benefit women / government / society it get actively hidden. If an act like gaming does not impact your negatively because you get it under control and not addicted to it, it will still be call addiction because you no longer plow the society yoke.

In short, recognize these manipulation tactics so you will not be fooled.

There is no magic in MGTOW, just recognition of the truth and logical decision how to avoid dangers. The red pill is but the truth, it is no magical potion. Do not think in this modern world men have no longer have natural enemies, men are prey to women and government.

[TheDudeParticipant 724]

Good points, Gnostic. I don’t think I’ve ever thought of the need for validation as an addiction before. I suppose that too, can light up the pleasure centers of the brain.

Perhaps I’ve read too much into this whole web addiction thing and convinced myself that my internet use is a bad thing, but in reality it doesn’t have that much of a negative impact on my life. Infact, it’s been mostly enriching/enlightening.

I could do to curb it a little… but it’s a hell of a lot better than being addicted to women and marriage.

Thank you for the thoughtful post.

[Author]

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