Computer Addicts Anonymous
As in the previous item, these questions have been devised by Nicholas Albery from another chapter sent in by Mrs E. R. Kingston, this time from a book entitled 'The Invasion of the Computer Culture' by Allen Emerson and Cheryl Forbes (published by Inter-Varsity Press, 1990, ISBN 0 7225 2642 3) - which in turn derives much of its information from the book 'Technostress: The Human Cost of the Computer Revolution' by Craig Brod.
It would seem that there is a need for a Computer Addicts Anonymous, or at least for a leaflet outlining to parents and spouses how they can help their computer-addicted kin.
As with the previous set of questions, mark yourself from '0' for 'not true even the tiniest amount', to '5' for 'neither true not untrue' or 'not relevant' or 'don't know', to '10' for 'true absolutely and always'.
'Do you ever find yourself referring to your friends or others in computer terms - eg "my wife makes a terrible peripheral"?'
Do you ever find yourself referring to your friends or others in computer terms - eg 'my wife makes a terrible peripheral'?
To what extent do you feel you no longer need a circle of close friends, or at least close friends outside your computer circles?
'Would your friends say that too much of your conversation is about computers?'
To what extent would your friends say that too much of your conversation is about computers?
To what extent would your friends say that you have little patience with easygoing, informal conversation?
To what extent would your friends say that you prefer to talk all the times in terms of facts and information and commands?
To what extent would your friends say that your waking hours are taken up with computers?
To what extent do you think about computer work even when supposedly doing other things?
To what extent do you dream at night about computers, software, programming, etc?
To what extent do your spouse or friends get jealous of the computer and consider that they are sharing you with the computer?
'A more lively and affectionate person when you are cut off from computers for a few days or weeks?'
To what extent do your friends consider that you become a more lively, amiable and affectionate person when you are cut off from computers for a few days or weeks?
To what extent would you say that you feel less sexual desire than before you were into computers or than others of your age?
To what extent do you like efficiency in your relationships?
To what extent do you view your friends or partners as interchangeable?
To what extent would your friends think of you as speedy and liking rapid-fire conversation?
To what extent would your friends tend to describe you as lacking empathy for others?
To what extent would your friends tend to believe that you were unable to think intuitively and creatively?
To what extent would your friends say that you were obsessed with order and predictability?
For comparison with your total score: A computer addict scored himself 83/170 on the above questions (48.8%) although scored by others who knew him at an average of 96/170 (56.5%).
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