As a web developer I spend a “small” amount of time in front of a computer. It’s to be expected, right? The other day a friend proposed that I spend too much time in front of a computer! Utterly shocked, that simple statement has been perplexing me ever since.
So, this week, I kept track. The following was my PC usage for Mon, Apr. 30th through Sun., May 6th:
Dustin’s Week – Time Spent At The Computer
Monday – Friday
- Approximately 42 hours for all five days at my full-time web development job.
- At least 23 hours at home (after work) programming, doing the finances, surfing, and gaming.
Saturday
- At least 11 hours, although two of that was at my friends house playing XBOX (that counts as a PC, right?).
Sunday
- At least 7 hours after church working on side projects and battling my buddies on BF2.
That’s a grand total of 83 hours this week. Not too shabby. ::pats self on back::
Tonight, I Googled the classic symptoms of a computer addiction and immediately found this article. Dr. Maressa Hecht Orzack listed these highly interesting psychological symptoms of computer addiction.
The 7 Symptoms of Computer Addiction
1) “Having a sense of well-being or euphoria while at the computer”
- Come on now, programming just makes me happy!
2) “Inability to stop the activity”
- It’s a part of my job and it’s fun!
3) “Craving more and more time at the computer”
- If only I didn’t have to sleep, then there would be enough time.
4) “Neglect of family and friends”
- My wife is in law school, she’d rather me be busy than bothering her while studying anyways. My friends… they talk to me on the computer (TeamSpeak)!
5) “Feeling empty, depressed, irritable when not at the computer”
- I’m irritable because it’s inefficient to go camping without internet access and electricity! Seriously, why no WiFi at the campground?
6) “Lying to employers and family about activities”
- This one I would never ever do, I promise.
7) “Problems with school or job”
- How is it a problem? You think my boss wants me to work less? Geesh.
I realize that a ‘supposed‘ computer addiction is also strongly related to a ‘supposed‘ internet addiction. But that’s a whole other article unto itself and doesn’t apply to me either.
So, if you are a computer addict, please look somewhere else for support. I’m sure there are plenty of other people out there that can help you more than I can.
But me, I’m just fine.