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> And why do kids text so much at school? Because they are bored to death by mind-numbing subjects and teaching that doesn't actually teach. Texting is the symp

by shas3 11y ago

> And why do kids text so much at school? Because they are bored to death by mind-numbing subjects and teaching that doesn't actually teach. Texting is the symptom, not the disease. Actually there is plenty of evidence that texting and social media offer a similar kick as several other addictions like smoking, etc. it's akin to blaming teenage smoking on boring classes. Further, the teenage mind is susceptible to getting easily bored and to addiction.

nicklaf 11y ago
Can we please stop comparing any activity that our brain learns to enjoy to drug usage by saying that some neurotransmitter is involved? I'm sure one could just as easily say that getting the mail is like other addictions, because I chronically get excited at the thought of my latest online order arriving.
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- sidcypher 11y ago
  It's only an ill-recepted drug usage if it starts remaking your behaviour as to increase consumption. Does the excitement and anticipation of getting mail significantly increase the frequency of your ordering? I assume not at all, but compulsive buying is a thing, and "some neurotransmitter" can totally make people addicted, so why can't I make a comparison when it is reasonable to do so?
  - nicklaf 11y ago
    Point taken; you are right to defend the drug comparison, so long as we're talking about compulsive behavior with negative effects. I do feel the analogy is overused though, mostly because the notion that chemical reactions in the brain are involved seems to have an unduly strong impression on people, whereas I imagine that these phenomena in the brain turn up in all sorts of human activity (see sandworm101's comment). There's also a negative connotation that exists with drug usage. I could be totally addicted to jogging, though ("runner's high"), with an almost totally net positive effect on my life.
- teddyh 11y ago
  > I'm sure one could just as easily say that getting the mail is like other addictions, because I chronically get excited at the thought of my latest online order arriving. There actually are many people addicted to shopping. You can often see them on “Hoarders” or similar TV shows, their homes filled to the brim with products in boxes, unopened.
0xcde4c3db 11y ago
> Actually there is plenty of evidence that texting and social media offer a similar kick as several other addictions like smoking, etc. Habitual behavior in general forms because of "a similar kick". The main difference between a habit and an addiction is whether the habit is seen as adaptive or maladaptive.
sandworm101 11y ago
And there is plenty of evidence that face-to-face social interactions trigger various neurotransmitters. I was reading a little while ago about distinct effects in the brains of men of hearing young female voices. No doubt this is Darwinism in action, but I guess I should start wearing earplugs around women to prevent any effect listening to them might have on my brain.

by shas3 11y ago

nicklaf 11y ago

Can we please stop comparing any activity that our brain learns to enjoy to drug usage by saying that some neurotransmitter is involved? I'm sure one could just as easily say that getting the mail is like other addictions, because I chronically get excited at the thought of my latest online order arriving.

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sidcypher 11y ago
It's only an ill-recepted drug usage if it starts remaking your behaviour as to increase consumption. Does the excitement and anticipation of getting mail significantly increase the frequency of your ordering? I assume not at all, but compulsive buying is a thing, and "some neurotransmitter" can totally make people addicted, so why can't I make a comparison when it is reasonable to do so?
- nicklaf 11y ago
  Point taken; you are right to defend the drug comparison, so long as we're talking about compulsive behavior with negative effects. I do feel the analogy is overused though, mostly because the notion that chemical reactions in the brain are involved seems to have an unduly strong impression on people, whereas I imagine that these phenomena in the brain turn up in all sorts of human activity (see sandworm101's comment). There's also a negative connotation that exists with drug usage. I could be totally addicted to jogging, though ("runner's high"), with an almost totally net positive effect on my life.
teddyh 11y ago
> I'm sure one could just as easily say that getting the mail is like other addictions, because I chronically get excited at the thought of my latest online order arriving. There actually are many people addicted to shopping. You can often see them on “Hoarders” or similar TV shows, their homes filled to the brim with products in boxes, unopened.

0xcde4c3db 11y ago

> Actually there is plenty of evidence that texting and social media offer a similar kick as several other addictions like smoking, etc. Habitual behavior in general forms because of "a similar kick". The main difference between a habit and an addiction is whether the habit is seen as adaptive or maladaptive.

sandworm101 11y ago

And there is plenty of evidence that face-to-face social interactions trigger various neurotransmitters. I was reading a little while ago about distinct effects in the brains of men of hearing young female voices. No doubt this is Darwinism in action, but I guess I should start wearing earplugs around women to prevent any effect listening to them might have on my brain.