Tell me, why - why does it happen?

Hello:

I'm still trying to ask a question, whish I'm interested in... very much.

Some days ago I've found one of many "computer-fiction" stories, written by russian (or XSU) authors... "Virtual love", the story vithout the end. Not the best, but nice piece of writing; so... this story was telling about usual guy who works with computers and spends on-line near all his time... (Author said that it was his own portrait).

And, this portrait is something "universal". Something, what near all my friends, who work with computers, read with smileys on their faces, saying "This is exact... it is about us. It is about us all".

And I understand them... for this is really so... But I want to understand other thing:

- Why are the Net and computers so addictive?
And, the most important question... WHY the Net and computers cause this way of life? This lifestyle? Why people, who made computers very important part of their lives, are so similar in different countries?

Why... why this way of life comes... even if at the beginning you don't belive that you'd live by this way... someday it comes... like something natural for you... like something you really want... even if earlier you thought that only fanatics can choose such life... WHY? Where is the "magic point" - where the Net and computers change our lives... (interests; priority of things; habits; lifestyle; etc...)

I again will put a quote from this old PRAVDA newspaper... some typical, may be a bit funny - but Exact - signs; may be you can share with me your thoughts... WHY this happens with computer people?...

I asked the good doctor how such people can be spotted and institutionalized for their own good.

He gave the following indications.

1. Their homes lack most furniture, having only the bare essentials.
2. verything is spotlessly clean except for the television set which will have a layer of dust on the screen.
3. The bed is never made.
4. There will be six or seven phone lines to the home.
5. Only computer manuals will be present, no other books.
6. The men will be almost universally divorced (no women have fallen prey to this yet despite the fact that some of the pathological personas are women) or be on the verge of divorce.
7. Their children, if any, will have run away from home. No very young victim has had any children.
8. Sexually, they will be inactive. At least, they won"t reproduce.
9. As with alcoholics, they will be scrupulously careful to report to their jobs each day but they will be uncreative and rarely be promoted to positions of responsibilities. Not because of lack of abilities, but because they will evade the extra time necessary to accomplish these goals.
10. The refrigerator will contain only spoiled potato chips and half-opened cans of beers. Many of these users drink soft-drinks because of the high sugar content. One institutionalized case had not eaten in six days. He was found by the police in a small grocery store, after closing hours, with open bags of chips and six-packs of Cokes lying about, laughing hysterically and trying to dial out on the computerized cash register. When they saw the thick glasses and the plastic pen holder in his pocket, they notified Dr. Sands.

Tatiana Matveeva / inity@bigfoot.com /
http://inity.junik.lv

• I think you need to check that list again. by M.Ozley, aka Destinei, 2/24/99