APA Style Citation:Joy Fisher, J. (2006, October 27). Computer Obsession: Is It A Real Addiction?. Retrieved January 13, 2009, from http://ezinearticles.com/?Computer-Obsession:-Is-It-A-Real-Addiction?&id=340312
New Zealand Herald , (March 31, 2008 ). Computer obsession turns toxic . The New Zealand Herald , Retrieved Dec.23 2008 , from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10501005
Gil, Paul Retrieved January 13, 2009, from About.com:Internet for Begginners Web site: Meet Dave S. Uber Gamer http://netforbeginners.about.com/od/thenewgamershandbook/a/interview_spohn.htm
Mollman, Steve (January 28, 2008 ). For online addicts, relationships float between real, virtual worlds. digitalbiz, Retrieved January 2 2009, from http://edition.cnn.com/2008/BUSINESS/01/29/digital.addiction/index.html
Hodson, Steven (July 11, 2008). Is the Internet Destroying Real World Interactions. Retrieved January 13, 2009, from Mashable Web site: http://mashable.com/2008/07/11/online-interaction/
CULTURE OF CHOICE; WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SHARED CULTURAL MOMENT? REMEMBER THE LAST EPISODE OF MASH? WE WATCHED IT TOGETHER. NOW WE CUSTOMIZE AND PERSONALIZE OUR MEDIA CHOICES WITH ITUNES, DVRS AND YOUTUBE. NEW TECHNOLOGY OFFERS GREATER SELECTION, BUT WHAT DO WE HAVE IN COMMON TO TALK ABOUT?. (2007). CULTURE OF CHOICE; WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SHARED CULTURAL MOMENT? REMEMBER THE LAST EPISODE OF MASH? WE WATCHED IT TOGETHER. NOW WE CUSTOMIZE AND PERSONALIZE OUR MEDIA CHOICES WITH ITUNES, DVRS AND YOUTUBE. NEW TECHNOLOGY OFFERS GREATER SELECTION, BUT WHAT DO WE HAVE IN COMMON TO TALK ABOUT?. In Student Research Center [CD-ROM].
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Help Hope and Guidance
In this post I would like to talk about Youthdale. My brother has more problems then my project has talked about. My whole family has problems. My families whole dynamic would revolve around Daniel. He was the center of everything and as a result my home life was stressful. My mother Elaine didn't know what to do anymore so she called the Chatholic Children's Aid and they directed her to Youthdale. Daniel is now at Youthdale and is recieving treatment. Youthdale is saving my family, it is an amazing place, there my brother and our whole family is recieving treatment. By the time my brothe comes back home hopefully things will be different and we can become the happy loving family I know we can be.
http://www.youthdale.ca/
The Truth
In my below post I talked about my book and my character development of my main character Daniel. That was not the truth Daniel (not his real name) is my brother. I was not trying to develop a character but develop an understanding of my brother. In this or the above post I invite people who knew my brother and my family to comment and tell how they feel about the situation.
This project has taught me many things about my brother that I never knew. At first I did this project because I wanted get the mark for the class, I really didn't think there was such a thing as computer addiction and I thought that this would just prove my point. I instead learned a bunch of things about my brother that I wouldn't have found out otherwise. I learned that my brother was addicted to the computer, I found out that was not because he was anti-social and didn't care about me or my mom but because he felt insecure and depressed and the computer and his online friends gave him a sense of belonging. I think this experience has opened my eyes to a lot of things and will now allow me to hopefully forge a better bond with my brother. This whole course has changed my life. In September when my brother went into the group home I was dying. I didn’t know what to do with myself and my marks in Intro to Anthropology, Psychology, and Anthropology started going down. A lot of the things we were learning in class hit me a little close to home. Then I decided that I shouldn’t let me experiences hold me back I should embrace them and use this course to find out more about myself and my family. A lot of the problems my family faces started happening early on in my life and I never felt a sense of control. This class has allowed me to investigate things that I never understood before. From this class I have gained perspective and hopefully in time closure.
This project has taught me many things about my brother that I never knew. At first I did this project because I wanted get the mark for the class, I really didn't think there was such a thing as computer addiction and I thought that this would just prove my point. I instead learned a bunch of things about my brother that I wouldn't have found out otherwise. I learned that my brother was addicted to the computer, I found out that was not because he was anti-social and didn't care about me or my mom but because he felt insecure and depressed and the computer and his online friends gave him a sense of belonging. I think this experience has opened my eyes to a lot of things and will now allow me to hopefully forge a better bond with my brother. This whole course has changed my life. In September when my brother went into the group home I was dying. I didn’t know what to do with myself and my marks in Intro to Anthropology, Psychology, and Anthropology started going down. A lot of the things we were learning in class hit me a little close to home. Then I decided that I shouldn’t let me experiences hold me back I should embrace them and use this course to find out more about myself and my family. A lot of the problems my family faces started happening early on in my life and I never felt a sense of control. This class has allowed me to investigate things that I never understood before. From this class I have gained perspective and hopefully in time closure.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
My New Book
In my new book I’ve chosen to addresses the three social sciences. My new novel is about a young boy in his pre-teens named Daniel. Daniel and his family had many problems all revolving around their family dynamic. Daniel is central to his family all of the family revolved around him. Daniel hadn’t gone to school since the age of 12 he is now 14. It is not known why he wouldn’t go to school just that he wouldn’t. His mother Elaine was a wonderful woman she did everything she could for Daniel, she tried as hard as she good to get him into school and provide a good life for him. Daniel however would not go to school and his mother could not force him because she didn’t have enough physical strength. You see Daniel was a very large and powerful boy. His mother although not a petite dainty woman was no match for him. So Daniel continued not to go to school and instead played his computer and video games. His computer became his life and Daniel spent sometimes 20 hours a day engrossed in his virtual world. The only time Daniel would leave his computer was to eat. He did not shower he did not brush his teeth. His computer became his family and his life and his real family became just a source of food and aggressive release.
For this book I thought it was extremely important to look into Psychology, Sociology, and Anthropology. Daniel clearly has mental health problems and it's important to look at these sciences to be able to develop a believable character. Under the psychological perspective I chose to look into computer addiction. I wasn't sure if computer addiction was an actual disorder but it turned out that it was, although a very disputed one. I knew this was a actual disorder because in the article I read Computer Obsession, is it a Real Addiction? In this article it said, " Many psychologists don't believe that computer addiction is a real disorder because computer addicts are just not resisting the urge to play they don't feel they need to play to survive." I learned through my research from the article Computer Addiction, is it a Real Addiction? that many computer addicts neglect their responsibilities such as school which is exactly what Daniel did.
I also learned that people addicted to computers forget their chores and responsibilities. This was also true of Daniel he never did his chores and if asked to do so would scream and get violent. The biggest generator of computer addicts is video games which is what Daniel was involved in. Computer addicts also are said not to care about anything but their computers. Daniel didn’t care to socialize with his family, he refused to go out, to go to school., his only socialization was if his friends came to him.
I think I am developing Daniel’s character successfully I have given him most if not all of the symptoms of a computer addict. I hope that readers will be able to relate to Daniel’s disorder because it is becoming one of the fastest growing disorders in the world.
I felt it was also important to my book to research online interactions vs. human interactions because Daniel spends all of his time on the computer. In my research I came across an article written by CNN called For Online Addicts, Relationships Float Between Real, Virtual Worlds. In this article it says that “Relationships formed in the games are the key part of the draw.” This made me think that maybe that should be the reason Daniel plays, he feels out casted by the real world so he forms friendships in his video games and finds a sense of belonging. In this article it also says that tons of teens and even adults are finding socializing in the real world increasingly difficult due to online games. I think this is due to the fact that it is easier to make friends and say what you feel and mean when you don’t have to look the person in the eye. This article also says that computer addiction might be caused by depression, anxiety or low self esteem. I agree with that, it is much easier to hide your low self esteem when you don’t have to actually be around the person. Depression can be hidden by online games because you get a sense of belonging by playing video games. As for anxiety I think that when you are playing a game you are able to control situations. One symptom of computer addiction is that people who are addicted don’t admit that they are. This is also true of Daniel; in my book he was never able to admit that he had a problem. I also came across a site that a computer gamer talked about human vs. online interaction he said, “You get to share your experiences and accomplishments with friends and fellow players, you get to be part of a team, you get socialize. Of course, online games are a very convenient way to do this compared to organizing a paintball match, particularly if your friends live in different locales.” this is from the article Meet Dave Spohr Uber Gamer
I also wanted to find out the effects of the internet has on our culture. I found out that many people think that the internet is ruining friendships and face to face interactions.The internet has revolutionized our culture almost everything is electronic. The internet has changed the way we read (most people now read books online.), the way we watch TV we now can either record our favourite shows or watch them at a later date on an online site. The internet has also changed the way we listen to music, we used to go out and buy CD’s or in the older days cassettes or records. Now we can download are music illegally from a site or we can buy our music on iTunes. The internet has also changed the way we talk to each other. Before the invention of the internet people would talk on their home phones or meet up and spend time with each other, now we either text, instant message, or use our cell phones. Face to face interactions don’t often happen anymore. The internet has made it acceptable in my opinion to distance people from each other. This may be the root of computer addiction and insecurity.
With all that I have researched for this book it’s safe to say I’ve learned a lot. I’ve come to the conclusion that although the internet makes our lives easier it also has negative effects on the way we live. I’ve learned that there are people with computer addictions and why they become addicted to the internet. I’ve learned about the benefits and drawbacks of online interactions. I’ve also learned the effects the internet has on our culture. With all that I’ve learned I now realize that my character Daniel was not completely at fault when it came to his problems. Although Daniel has many issues I now realize what he was going through. I now know why he didn’t go to school, why he refused to do chores and why he was so angry and depressed. With all my research I will be able to better develop Daniel’s character and in the end maybe get him help.
For this book I thought it was extremely important to look into Psychology, Sociology, and Anthropology. Daniel clearly has mental health problems and it's important to look at these sciences to be able to develop a believable character. Under the psychological perspective I chose to look into computer addiction. I wasn't sure if computer addiction was an actual disorder but it turned out that it was, although a very disputed one. I knew this was a actual disorder because in the article I read Computer Obsession, is it a Real Addiction? In this article it said, " Many psychologists don't believe that computer addiction is a real disorder because computer addicts are just not resisting the urge to play they don't feel they need to play to survive." I learned through my research from the article Computer Addiction, is it a Real Addiction? that many computer addicts neglect their responsibilities such as school which is exactly what Daniel did.
I also learned that people addicted to computers forget their chores and responsibilities. This was also true of Daniel he never did his chores and if asked to do so would scream and get violent. The biggest generator of computer addicts is video games which is what Daniel was involved in. Computer addicts also are said not to care about anything but their computers. Daniel didn’t care to socialize with his family, he refused to go out, to go to school., his only socialization was if his friends came to him.
I think I am developing Daniel’s character successfully I have given him most if not all of the symptoms of a computer addict. I hope that readers will be able to relate to Daniel’s disorder because it is becoming one of the fastest growing disorders in the world.
I felt it was also important to my book to research online interactions vs. human interactions because Daniel spends all of his time on the computer. In my research I came across an article written by CNN called For Online Addicts, Relationships Float Between Real, Virtual Worlds. In this article it says that “Relationships formed in the games are the key part of the draw.” This made me think that maybe that should be the reason Daniel plays, he feels out casted by the real world so he forms friendships in his video games and finds a sense of belonging. In this article it also says that tons of teens and even adults are finding socializing in the real world increasingly difficult due to online games. I think this is due to the fact that it is easier to make friends and say what you feel and mean when you don’t have to look the person in the eye. This article also says that computer addiction might be caused by depression, anxiety or low self esteem. I agree with that, it is much easier to hide your low self esteem when you don’t have to actually be around the person. Depression can be hidden by online games because you get a sense of belonging by playing video games. As for anxiety I think that when you are playing a game you are able to control situations. One symptom of computer addiction is that people who are addicted don’t admit that they are. This is also true of Daniel; in my book he was never able to admit that he had a problem. I also came across a site that a computer gamer talked about human vs. online interaction he said, “You get to share your experiences and accomplishments with friends and fellow players, you get to be part of a team, you get socialize. Of course, online games are a very convenient way to do this compared to organizing a paintball match, particularly if your friends live in different locales.” this is from the article Meet Dave Spohr Uber Gamer
I also wanted to find out the effects of the internet has on our culture. I found out that many people think that the internet is ruining friendships and face to face interactions.The internet has revolutionized our culture almost everything is electronic. The internet has changed the way we read (most people now read books online.), the way we watch TV we now can either record our favourite shows or watch them at a later date on an online site. The internet has also changed the way we listen to music, we used to go out and buy CD’s or in the older days cassettes or records. Now we can download are music illegally from a site or we can buy our music on iTunes. The internet has also changed the way we talk to each other. Before the invention of the internet people would talk on their home phones or meet up and spend time with each other, now we either text, instant message, or use our cell phones. Face to face interactions don’t often happen anymore. The internet has made it acceptable in my opinion to distance people from each other. This may be the root of computer addiction and insecurity.
With all that I have researched for this book it’s safe to say I’ve learned a lot. I’ve come to the conclusion that although the internet makes our lives easier it also has negative effects on the way we live. I’ve learned that there are people with computer addictions and why they become addicted to the internet. I’ve learned about the benefits and drawbacks of online interactions. I’ve also learned the effects the internet has on our culture. With all that I’ve learned I now realize that my character Daniel was not completely at fault when it came to his problems. Although Daniel has many issues I now realize what he was going through. I now know why he didn’t go to school, why he refused to do chores and why he was so angry and depressed. With all my research I will be able to better develop Daniel’s character and in the end maybe get him help.
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