lee@unm-ivax.UUCP (06/07/83)
Does the following describe yourself? AGE OF ONSET: 18 to 50 EARLY INDICATIONS: Compulsive magazine buying Victim gets an "irresistable urge" to buy computer magazines. Then, "spends hours pouring over them." At the extreme "any magazine bearing a picture of a computer terminal on its cover or the word computer in one of its articles is immediately acquired." Cruising Victim is described as "cruising" computer stores. The extremist will "cruise" the likes of stereo shops and hang around cash registers, in order to be near integrated circuit chips. Deterioration of Vocabulary The victim becomes "little involved in social conversation until the topic of microcomputers is mentioned." "Words having oral conotations, such as `apple', `byte' and `nibble', are uttered along with more obvious gibberish like `dos', `rom', `ram'". CRISIS Extreme Rationalization "Self-improvement, education and efficiency" are all examples of rationalizing the need for a micro. "The key issue is the `absolute rightness' of owning a computer." Excited Spending The "manic" phase: When a "previously competent, rational individual may withdraw thousands of dollars from savings" to purchase an extensive system. THE SYNDROME Social Withdrawal withdrawal from "food, sex, family." Victim can be found in a "fixed (or frozen) position before" the monitor "at any hour of the day or night." The only break from this behavior is occasional rapid- finger movements (RFM) over the keyboard. Sleep Disturbance Unwilling to go to bed. Extreme cases are commonly found "slumped in a chair the following morning." Occasionally, RFM may be exhibited in sleep. Physical Deterioration Marital Difficulties When the spouse suffers along with the victim, "vicious fights over access to computer time are not uncommon." Systemic Progression The "irresistable need" for more peripherals manifests itself. Separation Anxiety Can't bear to part with the machine. May buy small "pocket-micros" to carry around. Might install a small system in the office to complement one at home. ETIOLOGY It could be: A new strain of virus. A genetic defect. A viral agent interacting with an existing genetic predisposition ( This could be the best explanation ) Experimental psychologists explore the problem in terms of "learned behavior patterns." Psychoanalysts are currently looking at the possibility of "early psychosexual fixations." No, don't laugh. No, this doesn't belong in net.jokes. Nor, does it belong in net.suicide under "perverse motives for self-extermination." The above is a summation of an article recently printed in a trade journal of American psychiatry. Specifically in "Hospital and Community Psychiatry", page 556, June 1983, vol. 34, No. 6. The author is Steven Starker, Ph.D. The title of the article is "Microcomputer Mania: A New Mental Disorder?" I asked my mom ( head of the day treatment center at the Veterans administration hospital in Albuquerque New Mexico ) if this were a spoof. No. No such luck. This guy actually belives it! How? I object to a very good portion of the article. I have witnessed family problems between spouses. Not to the extent of this though! I know many, many people oriented towards computing machinery. I have never heard of or seen anything so absurd as the behavior described above. So, I will ask all of you out there in net.land, the multitudes representing our profession, am I so naive? Have I missed this great tragedy? This very possession of mind and soul by machine. I will forward a copy of this posting to the author. I ask that you submit your feelings on this subject. I would like to gather them and forward them ( without names ) to the author. If it turns out that I am wrong, perhaps he can find some value in the discussion. We represent a great many people who deal with computers and "computer people" every day of our lives. If what he says is true, then I would be greatly interested in seeing more substantial proof as he provided only the above with no examples. Lee Ward UUCP: ...!ucbvax!lbl-unix!lanl-a!unm-ivax!lee U.S. Mail 2918 Monroe N.E. Albuquerque N.M. 87110
norskog@fortune.UUCP (07/07/83)
#R:unm-ivax:-50500:fortune:14500009:000:48 fortune!norskog Jul 7 11:33:00 1983 Dr. Stephen >Starker< ? An obvious joke name!