Is the Internet making us ADD?

[Erika]

I've always been this way...

Even when I was really little, if I was eating breakfast, I had a book to look at. If I was watching tv, I was drawing pictures. I used to illustrate my spelling tests. I couldn't stand the dead time waiting to hear the next word. And no, I don't have actual ADD. I have no real excuse and I'm not young enough to blame the internet for my disorder :ROFLOL:

 

[Laura]

I do that too...I HATE when people are talking to me and take a call or start texting..

I hate it to. If I'm around other people, the phone goes on silent. I won't even talk on the phone if I'm at the grocery store check-out because it drives me crazy seeing other people blabbing away on their phones like the cashier doesn't exist.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

I make a conscious effort NOT to use tech.

I sit in front of a PC all day at work. I spend 9 or 10 hours in multitasking hell. I may be on the phone on a conference call, while a co-worker decides that because my office phone is routing to voice mail they will call my cell. On top of that I am reading a stack of emails, and helping two people via IM with unrelated systems problems while waiting for a server process to finish in an other window, while editing documentation on a new piece of hardware. That is a typical day, sometimes I even throw WDWMAGIC in the mix

When I leave work, I turn off. I have no data plan on my phone. My cell does not even have a touch screen or keyboard. It makes phone calls, and takes 5 minutes to tap out a simple text.

I have a desktop PC at home. I turn it on to check personal emails and do some other things (pictures from cameras, this forum, some FB games, some MMORPGs) and then it goes off.

I have no iPhone, Kindle, or iPod (I did have one, but I washed it )

Here is another 'funny' thing I do. If I am talking to you - face to face - and my phone rings, or I get a text, I may glance at it to make sure its not some emergency, but I will not answer it. You are the person who is in the room with me, you get my attention. It amazes me when people call and I don't answer, then they call 3 other numbers looking for me and when i finally answer they get all indignant about the fact that I did not answer my phone right away.

Well that's my story. I fully embrace tech and use it quite a bit (I am in love with my new Garmin 305 and come home from a run and check out my pace vs. heart rate vs incline) but I try to keep it at arms length.

-dave

Hate that. :lol: That's not being tech driven, or not, it's just good manners.:shrug:


And Laura, I can't even stand to talk on my phone in a public place. :lol: People listen to you.

 

[Wilt Dasney]

I'm happy to report that my ADD tendencies are not invincible. I spent the last couple nights watching the 3-hour National Geographic documentary "Guns, Germs and Steel" (look it up on Youtube, it's fascinating). I watched it in full screen mode without succumbing to any outside distractions, and was engrossed the entire time. So there is hope!

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

I'm happy to report that my ADD tendencies are not invincible. I spent the last couple nights watching the 3-hour National Geographic documentary "Guns, Germs and Steel" (look it up on Youtube, it's fascinating). I watched it in full screen mode without succumbing to any outside distractions, and was engrossed the entire time. So there is hope!

I would like to report something of the same nature...I just wrote two pages of my paper after coming from a seminar....and never once checked my phone, email, or this website. :lol: Mind over matter.

 

[TurboCaroline]

I'm guilty also. The first thing I do when I get to work is check my e-mail, fb and here...I am constantly checking these throughout the day. My mind is always wandering and then I realize that it's been 30 minutes and I better check fb..:lol:
When our cable internet goes out I freak out! What am I going to do all day? work??:lookaroun It's amazing that I get anything done all day...

 

[Figment1986]

I don't think it's making us...

hey look I could be a winner...

look a duck.... look phineas and ferb...

 

[lilclerk]

I've always been this way...

Even when I was really little, if I was eating breakfast, I had a book to look at. If I was watching tv, I was drawing pictures. I used to illustrate my spelling tests. I couldn't stand the dead time waiting to hear the next word. And no, I don't have actual ADD. I have no real excuse and I'm not young enough to blame the internet for my disorder :ROFLOL:

Same here! I used to write lyrics to songs on notes I was taking during class because I can't draw :lol: but my short attention span isn't due to ADD, it's just how I am. I read so many books when I was younger because I just couldn't not be doing something. I was that dork walking down the school hallway reading a book!
I don't have cable and watch all my shows online, and I'm always playing a game or reading a forum while the show is on (I'm watching Lost as I type this, which is difficult.)
I agree that it's also worse in the winter. When it's nice out, I'm all about going to the park for a long walk with my dog, then hanging out in the sunshine, reading a good book... I do listen to music at the same time though.

I am a text/IM-aholic though, but I think that's mostly due to my being on the phone all day at work. Don't want to talk on the phone at home too.

My mom, on the other hand, has totally been taken over by the internet. She will email me a question if I'm in the next room :lol: