Do others find DU dangerously addictive? My first ever Lounge post :)

[Truth2Tell]

So I've been reading DU for about 4 months and posting for about 2 1/2 months. Unlike other sites where I've previously posted and hung-out, I find myself on DU WAAAY more often, at home and at work.

I'm not prepared to say this is a bad thing - I think it's great in fact - but I do find it has some negative effects. I work full time running a small business, and I have a family and a four year old daughter. My compulsive need to read DU two, three or ten times a day is not entirely good for those other parts of my life. My wife is understanding, and I am my own boss, so the consequences are not drastic - but they are there. I get less work done. I find myself on the computer rather than playing with my daughter, etc... It's hard to balance sometimes.

Prior to DU, I had been an Internet news and info junkie for about nine months, but I never felt compelled to get back to a particular site or a particular post more than once, or maybe twice in a day.

But DU moves so much faster than many other boards - and is populated by so many more folks (at least compared to the places I frequented before) that I can't help checking in constantly.

I'm sure I'm not the first to find DU a drain on time, or the first to have DU pull thier life slightly out of balance. I'd love to hear what others have been though in this regard. Anyone?

This stuff is partly why I've stayed away from the Lounge and kept to my more natural terrain of GD and GDP. Buuut, here I am.

:) :hi:

[Shine]

1. Yes, in a word, this place is addictive, it's true.

when you consider the fact you're communicating with people all over the world and sometimes several at the same time, it gets compelling and seductive. There are so many clever, funny and smart people on this board it's hard to walk away, so I know what you mean about the need to create Balance with it.

I don't have any brilliant words of advice about that, other than to say it's worth stepping away once in a while to get some perspective and deal with your own real life, relationships, kids, job, etc...

I also happen to think this place attracts a lot of people who, sadly, don't have much of a real life outside of their computer, so this place becomes a sort of "family" and support system for them.

It's sad, but truly, who am I to judge? We ALL long for community and connection, in whatever way it shows up, don't we?

Greetings to you, Truth2Tell! Welcome to DU! :toast:

[Truth2Tell]

9. Thanks Shine!

:toast:

[Radio_Lady]

24. Somedays I spend so much time here I don't get to the other fascinating things in my life.

Like going to the bank, washing dishes, making dinner, exercising.

I've had to put a limit on it; otherwise, I'd be here for many more hours than I would care to admit.

See what comes up when you say this to yourself:
"I have to admit to myself and others that (FILL IN ADDICTION) has become a problem in my life over which I have poor-to-no control."

The fill-in will tell you how much you are drawn into the Democratic Underground's wonderful web of attraction. Really... but I don't drink, smoke, do drugs or cheat on my husband (only in my dreams). So, what is this?

[SPKrazy]

2. it is addictive

and balance is important

but the lounge is too much fun sometimes

run, run while you still can! :sarcasm:

:rofl:

[Left Is Write]

3. I can quit any time I want to.

[SoCalDem]

4. Uh-oh.. Sounds like you need the 12-step DU program

It meets in the procrastinator's forum.. tomorrow..or next week... I forget :evilgrin:

[Mad_Dem_X]

20. I think he already started the program.

He goes to GD and GDP!!! :evilgrin:

[ThomCat]

5. The lounge is totally adictive. Run while you still can.

:P

Welcome to the lounge. Should we just chain you to your keyboard now?

[Truth2Tell]

7. Thanks! Pretty comfy in here.

I don't think you need chains. Just maybe a place to put my feet up and some good snacks. I'm pretty easy to trap.

:)

[SPKrazy]

10. Snacks are in the back

put your feet up but not on the tables please

and watch out for that back corner, it has a hole in it that goes down to GD and sometimes people go back there and puke all over GD and then come back. :D

:hi:

[Mad_Dem_X]

23. Listen to him!!!

He started that hole!!! :hide:

[NewJeffCT]

6. It can be addictive

But, then I remember all the circular firing squad threads and learn to step back when necessary.

[Aristus]

8. It's easy to quit DU.

I've done it a hundred times! B-)

[Lindsey]

12. There isn't a day that goes by, unless I'm out of town, that I'm not on DU

at least one hour a day. I have a job I love and a very active social life. I look at DU as a hobby. I don't garden or have conventional hobbies. I seriously consider DU a real community. DU isn't all about politics. The DU GROUPS have many areas of interest to me such as the spiritual group and womens issues. For example, I've gotten wonderful ideas on how to deal with menopause from the Womens Group. If it wasn't for DU, I don't know how I would have made it through these past 6 1/2 years.

[deepthought42]

11. Addictive? Never! Why just the other day...

I went over 1 hour without going onto DU! So ha! :P

:hi:

[Breeze54]

13. YES!! I do find DU dangerously addictive and I love it.

I'm here way to much but I'm thinking it's filling a need in my life.

I love all the different opinions and the insight and the good and bad vibes.

All of the above make me think and revisit my own preconcieved opinions and idea's.

I love that I can reach out to thousands of people to ask for support on an action.

I love that I can post personal cares and get very sound advice and support.

But am I spending to much time here? Probably. In my real life I probably wouldn't

or shouldn't spend that much time with my friends. But I used to!! ;)

DU was there for me, when others were not.... :loveya:


Edited to add:

WELCOME to DU!!! :hi:

[Truth2Tell]

16. "I love all the different opinions and the insight and the good and bad vibes."

Me too. I see so many people complaining about negativity, etc... But I love it all - even the ugly.

I have yet to use ALERT, IGNORE, or HIDE THREAD. I can't imagine ever wanting to. My skin is like an elephant's - I'm only amused and quite entertained by the mud slinging in GD - even when it's directed at me.

Thanks for the feedback Breeze!!! Glad to be here.

:hi:

[rug]

14. Hell no it's not addictive.

[TZ]

15. I'm addicted too..

I found DU earlier this year when I was trapped in a boring job, after quitting what had been my dream job that politics ruined. To make a long story short, I was in desperate need of some mental stimulation and found it here. Although I will take breaks now and then, there are some really smart nice people on DU that I love talking to.
Welcome to the club!!:toast:

[matcom]

17. i hate this place

and i'm never here. in fact i'm not here now.

:hi:

[Connonym]

18. Welcom to the Lounge!

bwahahahahahah your life will never be the same

[graywarrior]

19. Hell, I've been trying to leave here for months

I'm so strung out it's pitiful. I'm weak.

[Truth2Tell]

21. BTW - on a side issue...

I can't seem to upload an avatar. I have jpgs and gifs that are the right dimensions... but no matter how small I shrink them, when I check the "properties" they say "size: 1.5k" (or 2k, or whatever) and "size on disk: 4k", whatever that means. And then I get an error when I try to upload. I can't seem to get "size on disk" below 4k, and nothing will upload. :(


The upload page suggests asking for help in the Lounge. Can anyone help?

[Breeze54]

26. I have the same problem and I can't get a straight answer either.

:shrug:

[applegrove]

22. Yup. Especially when I am in between jobs. It is so informative ... why wouldn't

it be addictive to news junkies.

[Dangerously Amused]

25. I know at least one person who finds it Dangerously Amusing.

Oh. Wait. That would be me.