I’ll write the title after I check Facebook
You guys, I think the Internet has ruined my ability to pay attention. A lot of people say that the Internet reduces your attention span, and I think I’m just a great example of that. But it’s not with just usual things like reading (which, btw, reading a book is a HASSLE for me now). Even things like getting up to eat or going to sleep are now something from which I get distracted.
Let’s say I need to eat, because I am hungry. Well, here is how that goes down:
I am hungry, I should eat -> I think I’ll check all the social networking sites one more time -> Facebook -> Refresh Twitter app -> Anything new on Snark? -> Maybe someone commented on my blog -> Maybe Clem or Aisy updated their blogs -> Why not check Dailybooth while I’m at it? -> Hey, what about Formspring! -> Hm, nothing new so far, let’s check Facebook one more time -> Well, might as well check Snark again for good measure -> What was I going to do again? -> Perhaps I will check Facebook again while I try to remember -> Etc. until I finally eat (or not)
The same thing with sleep, really. I’ll be like “Yeah, sure, bed time at 1.” Suddenly it’s 2 in the morning and guess where I am. Not sleeping. Probably on the computer.
With so many things to check online, and the possibility for them to be updated at ANY TIME it’s hard to pull myself away from the computer and actually do things. Food doesn’t give me notifications. I can’t tweet while sleeping. Why read a book when I can watch a YouTube video? Where is my instant gratification?
Even now, I’m online, blogging about how I’m online too much. And I’m asking you to be online and read my blog, even though YOU’RE probably online too much. Well, I guess the first step is admitting you have a problem.
My name is Josh Hillmann and I am addicted to the Internet. Your turn.
Hello, my name's Josh and I might be a hipster (you decide!). I've been blogging and designing in some form for the past eight or so years and I think I'm starting to get the hang of it (once again, you decide!). I love indie music, coming of age stories, sarcasm, video games, and aesthetics. At the moment I'm working part-time and going to college with hopes of being a web designer. 
Posted by Lucy — Wednesday, July 14th 2010
I have all my social websites linked in my toolbar together, and I check them one after another when I first log on. It’s kind of sad that I have them all organized together. Now I also have Tweetie on the desktop to keep me up to speed on the latest tweets. D:
Posted by Clem — Wednesday, July 14th 2010
I like that me and Ling have higher priority than any other blogs. :P
I am not quite as bad, but I find myself checking Facebook constantly, just out of reflex. Sometimes I’ll even have it open in one tab, then switch to another tab, and then OPEN IT IN A TAB WHEN I STILL HAVE IT OPEN IN ANOTHER TAB. Sometimes when I do that I get freaked out and deactivate for a day. :P
I also stay up really late on the interwebs, but that’s more of a conscious choice since I like being up late and I suck at sleeping.
Posted by Adam — Wednesday, July 14th 2010
I always say that the Internet killed my attention span. Like Lucy, I have all the websites I frequently check, on my bookmarks toolbar. This has, on occasion, led me to opening Google Reader, while I already have it open in the tab I’m looking at o__o
Posted by Vera — Thursday, July 15th 2010
Hi Josh, I’m not addicted to the Internet. So sireee… I am however addicted to Snark, and checking my e-mail. My interest might start soon bordering on insane…
As for small attention-span, I KNOW I’ve had that WAY before I even knew what the Internet was. :P
Posted by Maggie — Saturday, July 17th 2010
I think I have the same problem… I check my facebook once before going to sleep and then sometimes get distracted too. Definitely know where you’re coming from…. think may be time to wean myself off.. >_<
Posted by Zaphiie — Saturday, July 17th 2010
I’m Zaphiie, and I’m somewhat addicted to the internet. However, I (surprisingly) have a little self-control in this regard, so it’s not too bad. I manage to keep my sleeping hours fairly sane, and my eating is fine…
Homework, however, is another thing entirely.
My main addictions are Echofon and gmail chat. Both of which I have open nearly contantly… D: