My use of the internet has reached a critical point. A point where, if I’m not careful, it becomes a self-perpetuating cycle that is nearly impossible to escape.
It used to be, I’d wake up, check my email, respond if needed, then get on with my day. Maybe check my email again an hour or two later.
Now, it’s wake up, check my main email, check Facebook, check Twitter, check Friendfeed, chat on MSN a bit, check Tumblr, check Google Reader, chat on Google Chat a bit, check my other email address, check the news, and oh, it’s been an hour, so there might be something new at my main email. And Facebook. Can’t forget Twitter. Maybe in between, if there’s time, I think of something to blab about on the blog – hi – and then it’s time for the cycle to resume.
Then, oh, whoops, it’s bed time. I’ve been at the computer for 16 hours. And I’ve wet myself.
What I should do is unplug my router. I should turn off my computer. For seriously, what I should do is, I should cut off my electricity and chop up my desk to burn for heat. You know, really get back to the basics and focus on what’s important – family, friends, pets, a good book.
I’ll just check my email one last time.
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Edit: In related news, here’s an article on multitasking in Wired Science. It’s interesting, but could also win the award for most blatant contradiction between the headline and the article.
Phronk.com 
Comments
22 responses to “The Endless Cycle of Checking Stuff”
You can't leave the internets. It's got you.
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You can't leave the internets. It's got you.
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Sounds like me.
And, we have to add on top of all of that the other useless stuff like work, eating, sleeping and bathroom breaks.
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Sounds like me.And, we have to add on top of all of that the other useless stuff like work, eating, sleeping and bathroom breaks.
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Oh, I am right there with ya. The net has become a big part of my life. Not sure I would want to change it, now, though.
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Oh, I am right there with ya. The net has become a big part of my life. Not sure I would want to change it, now, though.
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All this social networking leaves very little time to be social in real life… I'm hosting a storytelling night on my front porch this weekend in an effort to connect “live” with real people!
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All this social networking leaves very little time to be social in real life… I'm hosting a storytelling night on my front porch this weekend in an effort to connect “live” with real people!
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Leaving the net? That is QUITE enough of that kooky talk! What is this other stuff you talk of? Friends, family, ect? I have no frame of reference. I prefer the Matrix…a prison for my mind. Makes you feel all warm and schwoooshie doesn't it.
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Leaving the net? That is QUITE enough of that kooky talk! What is this other stuff you talk of? Friends, family, ect? I have no frame of reference. I prefer the Matrix…a prison for my mind. Makes you feel all warm and schwoooshie doesn't it.
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Hmmmm yeah, it's possible you have too many online social networking platforms… I never even heard of two of them. I hear you though. All of my “work” (I volunteer, I dont have a paying job) has me on email ALL day, and I check blogs and sites and such. It's probably a good thing I don't have all those other things.
And if you left the next what would your “hordes of adoring fans” do with themselves if they arn't checking your facebook, Twitter, blog, chat and whateveryoucallit updates?
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Hmmmm yeah, it's possible you have too many online social networking platforms… I never even heard of two of them. I hear you though. All of my “work” (I volunteer, I dont have a paying job) has me on email ALL day, and I check blogs and sites and such. It's probably a good thing I don't have all those other things. And if you left the next what would your “hordes of adoring fans” do with themselves if they arn't checking your facebook, Twitter, blog, chat and whateveryoucallit updates?
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hey, I do the same thing (minus the Facebook and Twitter), but I didn't realize I might have a problem until now.
It's ironic that all these social networking sites actually make us more anti-social.
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hey, I do the same thing (minus the Facebook and Twitter), but I didn't realize I might have a problem until now.It's ironic that all these social networking sites actually make us more anti-social.
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This is why I love the times when the power goes out for an hour or two. It gives me some time to catch up on things, do some reading and forget about checking in.
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This is why I love the times when the power goes out for an hour or two. It gives me some time to catch up on things, do some reading and forget about checking in.
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Aaaah yeah. If I don't keep myself in check I don't ever get any work done. Sad, but true. It's a deep addiction that I haven't tried to break, although giving up cable once seemed hard also.
Which brings to mind this crazy cool comic – Huxley vs Orwell
http://www.recombinantrecords.net/docs/2009-05-Amusing-Ourselves-to-Death.html
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Aaaah yeah. If I don't keep myself in check I don't ever get any work done. Sad, but true. It's a deep addiction that I haven't tried to break, although giving up cable once seemed hard also. Which brings to mind this crazy cool comic – Huxley vs Orwellhttp://www.recombinantrecords.net/docs/2009-05-Amusing-Ourselves-to-Death.html
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I hear ya.
I find myself getting more out of this medium (reading blogs like your own) than facebook (which I now use instead of email) and twitter. I've tried sort of consciously to reserve the latter two to boring train journeys til the evening.
It can get too much.
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I hear ya. I find myself getting more out of this medium (reading blogs like your own) than facebook (which I now use instead of email) and twitter. I've tried sort of consciously to reserve the latter two to boring train journeys til the evening.It can get too much.
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I'm glad I'm not the only one.
Also: I love you all.
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I'm glad I'm not the only one.Also: I love you all.
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