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I've never found myself unable to stop reading a book even when I knew I should be doing something else. Like now. I should be getting some sleep but instead I'

I've never found myself unable to stop reading a book even when I knew I should be doing something else. Like now. I should be getting some sleep but instead I'm reading/commenting about screen time. I think, mobile devices especially, are addictive in ways that prior media was just not. I often feel the way I felt after a few months of being a regular smoker - not really getting much pleasure from being online and knowing that I'm not really learning anything useful, but not really able to stop either. (I should note I did quit smoking entirely shortly after getting to that point though)

baddox 8y ago
I have certainly had the same experience with a book.
- Apocryphon 8y ago
  Yeah but how long does it take to read a book? Even if someone was binging on War and Peace, or The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, one is addicted only for a few weeks or months at most- the internet is infinite.
  - TeMPOraL 8y ago
    So is the bookstore.
  - Nition 8y ago
    Not really arguing either way here but I don't think the analogy really holds up. There are many books just like there are many websites.
  - crazynick4 8y ago
    I guess the differentiating factor is the instant availability. You can go to a library pick out one book, and unless it's exceptional you'll only be able to read it for some amount of time before you feel like you need to do something else. With the internet, the "something else" can still be the internet. And with a book, if you're truly binging on it, then youll be done in several days at most for the longer books. And, chances are, you won't be going back to the library for another book right away and, if you do, the next one probably won't be as bingeworthy. I guess I can see the analogy but it's still like comparing nicotine to caffeine.
    - TeMPOraL 8y ago
      > I guess I can see the analogy but it's still like comparing nicotine to caffeine. Nitpick, but nicotine != cigarettes, and nicotine alone isn't that (if at all) habit-forming.
TeMPOraL 8y ago
I'm seconding 'baddox here. I binge on books harder than on TV series, and often sacrifice sleep just to keep reading. Observing people around me and the way they interact with all kind of media, including books, I'm starting to believe there's a more general factor here. Something about how deep a person wants to immerse themselves in the fictional world. For instance, most books, movies and TV shows that have an actual plot (i.e. not sitcoms / comedies) are a solitary affair for me - because with other people around, I can't properly engage on the emotional level. But I know plenty of people who watch the same movies while doing chores, read the same books five pages at the time, while talking, etc., at no point reaching (IMO) any kind of immersion. I observed the across-media correlation here - those who engage deeply with movies, do so with books and videogames. Those who don't engage with one medium, don't engage with others either. I believe the latter type complains most about how their not-favourite media is "addictive".

baddox 8y ago

I have certainly had the same experience with a book.

Apocryphon 8y ago
Yeah but how long does it take to read a book? Even if someone was binging on War and Peace, or The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, one is addicted only for a few weeks or months at most- the internet is infinite.
- TeMPOraL 8y ago
  So is the bookstore.
- Nition 8y ago
  Not really arguing either way here but I don't think the analogy really holds up. There are many books just like there are many websites.
- crazynick4 8y ago
  I guess the differentiating factor is the instant availability. You can go to a library pick out one book, and unless it's exceptional you'll only be able to read it for some amount of time before you feel like you need to do something else. With the internet, the "something else" can still be the internet. And with a book, if you're truly binging on it, then youll be done in several days at most for the longer books. And, chances are, you won't be going back to the library for another book right away and, if you do, the next one probably won't be as bingeworthy. I guess I can see the analogy but it's still like comparing nicotine to caffeine.
  - TeMPOraL 8y ago
    > I guess I can see the analogy but it's still like comparing nicotine to caffeine. Nitpick, but nicotine != cigarettes, and nicotine alone isn't that (if at all) habit-forming.

TeMPOraL 8y ago

I'm seconding 'baddox here. I binge on books harder than on TV series, and often sacrifice sleep just to keep reading. Observing people around me and the way they interact with all kind of media, including books, I'm starting to believe there's a more general factor here. Something about how deep a person wants to immerse themselves in the fictional world. For instance, most books, movies and TV shows that have an actual plot (i.e. not sitcoms / comedies) are a solitary affair for me - because with other people around, I can't properly engage on the emotional level. But I know plenty of people who watch the same movies while doing chores, read the same books five pages at the time, while talking, etc., at no point reaching (IMO) any kind of immersion. I observed the across-media correlation here - those who engage deeply with movies, do so with books and videogames. Those who don't engage with one medium, don't engage with others either. I believe the latter type complains most about how their not-favourite media is "addictive".