Forum addiction..Are forums healthy?

[krisb]

The title although can be looked at as 2 seperate questions, I figured since addictions are health related, I'd combine the 2.

So what is forum addiction?

What are the signs you are addicted?

Is this type of addiction healthy or not?

Can you admit to being addicted?...that's the first step so I hear.

Anyhow, fire at will...(not Will27 btw)

[Khutan]

I am not addicted at all, but I do like to participate in an online community. Like any community, some people contribute more than others.

[krisb]

Please mods, let this light hearted fun run in general.

[krisb]

I am not addicted at all, but I do like to participate in an online community. Like any community, some people contribute more than others.

Let's look at the word 'contribution' for a minute.

Khutan only likes to 'contribute'.

He contributes regularly however. It's much more than just a social contribution, it's fastly become regular contributions.

I think he's in denial here.

Addict.

[ATF]

They are just like real life 90% of the people you meet are $#@$$%%%.

[krisb]

Now now, don't be shy... step up to the mike and tell us your story......

It's a Forum Anonymous meeting after all....

Let's get it all out in the open for discussion ok...

[krisb]

They are just like real life 90% of the people you meet are $#@$$%%%.

I sense some angst in your post.

This is why I raised the health issue.

The person behind the avatar is quite possibly nothing like their alter ego.

Do you ever find yourself swearing at your screen?

[Jingthing]

I admit to be addicted.

First step in what?

I'm addicted to coffee too.

First step in the morning!

[krisb]

I admit to be addicted.

First step in what?

I'm addicted to coffee too.

First step in the morning!

I admire you can admit to being a forum addict.

Your statistics gave you away anyhow, but still you weren't shy to admit.

Too much coffee is not good right?

Do you think forum addiction is honestly healthy?

I have noticed amongst your light hearted fun on here, you also enjoy a good heated debate, and refuse to back down.

Is this healthy? It's all fun and games until the obvious stress is clearly visible.

[sipi]

Forums are informative. The ThaiVisa anonymity isn't. It attracts some weirdos.

As a member of a swimming forum, I give my swimming club membership.

On my 4 wheel drive and camping forum, I show photos of me and my 4wd.

The tennis forum holds physical "meet and greet" social occasions.

Ok. My name is Phil Smith. My wifes name is Tuk and our son is Morgan. We live near Phon Cheroen.

Drop in for a beer sometime...

[Jingthing]

I admit to be addicted.

First step in what?

I'm addicted to coffee too.

First step in the morning!

I admire you can admit to being a forum addict.

Your statistics gave you away anyhow, but still you weren't shy to admit.

Too much coffee is not good right?

Do you think forum addiction is honestly healthy?

I have noticed amongst your light hearted fun on here, you also enjoy a good heated debate, and refuse to back down.

Is this healthy? It's all fun and games until the obvious stress is clearly visible.

I don't drink too much coffee. I am physically addicted though. It is not a problem.

Forum use can have benefits and pitfalls. I have experienced both. I wouldn't want to give it up but yes I could cut it down. I feel I have actually been successful in getting less obsessive about responding to abusive trolls every time. That can indeed be stressful and turn into a black hole. I think using the ignore function can be a good tool to help with that. I realize many people don't understand the use of ignore and think it's copping out. But in my case as a high visibility member, some trolls predictably view me as a big target (stalkers might be a better description of them) for their big fun and it just takes too much energy and time to deal with them.

Edited September 30, 2014 by Jingthing

[krisb]

As Jingting mentions, the ignore button is there, to help keep your addiction buzz sane.

[ATF]

They are just like real life 90% of the people you meet are $#@$$%%%.

I sense some angst in your post.

This is why I raised the health issue.

The person behind the avatar is quite possibly nothing like their alter ego.

Do you ever find yourself swearing at your screen?

Valium cured the swearing at the screen problem. Still working on the gun thing.

[Gecko123]

Krisp:

I've only been a member for two months now, but I think you're right, TVF can be addictive.

One thing I've noticed is that TVF members seem to be a pretty diverse group of people, i.e., young/old; newbie/old timer; many different countries; city/rural; rich/poor; varying educational backgrounds; working/retired; fluent/non-fluent, etc., etc., that this creates a certain suspense about who is going to say what next. I think this sense of suspense explains a lot about why these forums can become addictive. There also seems to be a more dynamic culture on this expat website than a lot of expat forums I've visited for other countries.

I've also noticed that my interest in Facebook has really dropped off since being on TVF. Most of my "friends" on Facebook are high school buddies who rarely post anything or people who post pictures of what they have for breakfast or life event stuff. It's a nice tool to keep up with friends and family, but I no longer consider Facebook as addictive as I did when I first joined.

So Krisp, now that I've answered your topic in a thoughtful way, any chance I can get you to change your avatar? That purple half-human half T-rex eyeball really scares me everytime I look at it.

[Gecko123]

Krisp:

I've only been a member for two months now, but I think you're right, TVF can be addictive.

One thing I've noticed is that TVF members seem to be a pretty heterogeneous group of people: young/old; newbie/old timer; many different countries; city/rural; rich/poor; varying educational backgrounds; working/retired; fluent/non-fluent, etc., etc. This creates a certain suspense about who is going to say what next. I think this sense of suspense explains a lot why these forums can become addictive.

I also have noticed that my interest in Facebook has really dropped off since becoming a TVF member. Most of my "friends" on Facebook are high school buddies who rarely post anything or friends who post pictures of what they have for breakfast or life event stuff. It's a nice tool to keep up with friends and family, but I no longer consider Facebook as addictive as I did when I first joined.

So Krisp, now that I've answered your topic in a thoughtful way, any chance I can get you to change your avatar? That purple half-human half T-rex eyeball really scares me everytime I look at it.

Edited September 30, 2014 by Gecko123

[krisb]

Krisp:

I've only been a member for two months now, but I think you're right, TVF can be addictive.

One thing I've noticed is that TVF members seem to be a pretty heterogeneous group of people: young/old; newbie/old timer; many different countries; city/rural; rich/poor; varying educational backgrounds; working/retired; fluent/non-fluent, etc., etc. This creates a certain suspense about who is going to say what next. I think this sense of suspense explains a lot why these forums can become addictive.

I also have noticed that my interest in Facebook has really dropped off since becoming a TVF member. Most of my "friends" on Facebook are high school buddies who rarely post anything or friends who post pictures of what they have for breakfast or life event stuff. It's a nice tool to keep up with friends and family, but I no longer consider Facebook as addictive as I did when I first joined.

So Krisp, now that I've answered your topic in a thoughtful way, any chance I can get you to change your avatar? That purple half-human half T-rex eyeball really scares me everytime I look at it.

Says the green lizard.

And no, not changing my avatar, it's avatar.

Edited September 30, 2014 by krisb

[ozsamurai]

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Krisp:

I've only been a member for two months now, but I think you're right, TVF can be addictive.

You'll get over your addiction to TVF fairly soon, 6 months, then in about a year you will come back... or no longer be here. It's an institution for the keyboard warriors trapped inside with the AC all day, a dodge for the digital nomads doing the same.

Oz

[Gecko123]

Says the green lizard.

Says the friendly green lizard.

[Gecko123]

You'll get over your addiction to TVF fairly soon, 6 months, then in about a year you will come back... or no longer be here. It's an institution for the keyboard warriors trapped inside with the AC all day, a dodge for the digital nomads doing the same.

Oz

Thanks for the encouraging prognosis, Dr Drew.

[krisb]

Says the green lizard.

It's not easy being green.

Says the friendly green lizard.

[makasanstop]

The TVF world is the real world and the outside world just an on-line forum with anonymous posters.

[Beetlejuice]

A lot of social media can become addictive, but I do not consider Thai visa as being addictive and rather more as a pass time and probably a necessity especially beneficial for us ex-pats living here in Thailand, as TV maybe the only ways they get to interact with their peers and able to keep up to date and informed of what is happening around them. I do enjoy to participate on the treads several times over a week on matters that concern me and others like me, plus it also gives me a voice here in Thailand and a platform to air my views. But like all these things they can be healthy is kept under moderation. On average I make about 2 or 3 posts per day. Some may call that an addiction, others may consider that as normal participation. I don`t know for sure not being a psychologist.

On the other hand there is the social media, such as facebook for example that to many is a part of their mainstream lives and would find it as difficult to delete their accounts as an alcoholic would trying to give up the demon drink. And that to me is what I would describe as being addicted to social media.

It all depends on what members define as being a necessity due to us being foreigners living in a foreign land, a pass time and what constitutes as being an addiction.

Edited September 30, 2014 by Beetlejuice

[David48]

If I could diversify a little without going off topic ...

This Visa Forum for me is a Community ... a broader Family.

Sure ... there are many with diverse opinions ... many different to mine ... but isn't half the fun of it?

Boring world if we were all the same!

I've met quite a few of the blokes here ... all good, some excellent ... wouldn't change it for the world.

I don't have FaceBook ... this place is close enough for me.

I think a secret to enjoying TVF is that just because someone else has a different opinion to that of you ... no need to dis him or her.

Sort of like having a 'love of soccer', disagreeing on the team choices, then going down to the Pub and discovering that you both have a passion for the same beer.

I know guys I've fought tooth and nail on here ... only to discover, a week down the track, we are liking each others comments on a different subject.

.

[David48]

So ... krisb ... for me ... addictive ... no ... enjoyable ... most times ... a definite YES ... although ...

(Mods ... stop with the holidays ... enough ... OK? I have enough frequent Flyer Points ... )

One thing I will say ... sometimes, TVF can be a Time Thief ... but that's manageable.

Edited September 30, 2014 by David48

[pinkpanther99]

I wouldn't say I'm addicted but I do find myself spending an increasing amount of time on Thai Visa.

Like David48 says above, I often don't agree with the opinions of some posters but perhaps that's the what keeps me coming back - it's more entertaining that way!

As a resource to find information out about Thailand, Thai Visa can not be beaten in my opinion.

I think a lot of expats would be lost without it.

Now if you don't mind, I'm off for a late lunch with my half Thai/Chinese high-so gf.

Edited September 30, 2014 by pinkpanther99

[pigeonjake]

well i must admit i love the craic on here,,

and i supose im adicted,,lol,

i get up, coffee,

down to feed the animals, have a fag or 10,

back to the house,, shower, more coffee, then ill have a look at emails, and have a look on here,,

[Beetlejuice]

well i must admit i love the craic on here,,

and i supose im adicted,,lol,

i get up, coffee,

down to feed the animals, have a fag or 10,

back to the house,, shower, more coffee, then ill have a look at emails, and have a look on here,,

Don`t know why, but I had tears streaming down my face after reading your post and suddenly progressed from feeling depressed to suicidal.

Edited September 30, 2014 by Beetlejuice

[Cypress Hill]

I think forums are healthy and for some, clearly they ARE addictive.

There are guys posting here who have nothing else going on in their lives who camp out on this board dawn 'til dusk and beyond.

These are the guys who rack up 2000 posts in 6 months and actually go around telling other posters to "get a life".

[ClutchClark]

Hello fellow addicts. My name is Clutch and I am a TVF-aholic.

Is this where the 12-step program meets?

[dotpoom]

I try to read the forum daily....I find it an excellent way of keeping up with what is happening in Thailand where I now live, I will contribute if I think I have something positive to add. I follow the news from back home too on a daily basis for the same reasons.