Same. But it's a healthy addiction. I like when I get a post to respond to...

Brilliant. I say embrace the absurdity. Do it for the lulz. But if it gets too much, maybe try hard to force yourself away for a while. It's more fun if you're a smart arse who, along with some serious thinking every now and then, makes fun of everyone and everything, including yourself.

I'm a fellow addict. In close to around ten years since I discovered the original forum, I think I've at best been away - away-away, I mean - for a period of around six months to a year, if that.

I'm also addicted to takeaway food, and am now more of a former video game addict. And then there's the drug habit, but I'm not an addict yet, so obviously I need to take more drugs, harder drugs, and more often. Then I'll win at life, like Charlie Sheen. :party:

Yes, I know, I am truly wise. And you're welcome. It's okay, you don't need to tell me.

Yes, I know, I am truly wise. — S

Yeah, I can tell. It inspired you to create a whole thread about it.

:grin: :up:

What was your initial intention for joining? — Mr Phil O'Sophy

Nowadays I use this forum because I love writing. And I especially like it when people respond to what I’ve written. I'm not really interested in any specific philosophical topic.

When I first started on the philosophy forum, it was the old forum many years ago, my first post was inspired by presuppositional apologetics. The idea that such things as the uniformity of nature and laws of logic were uncertain fascinated me. They try to argue that without God you have no justification for the laws of logic, absolute morality, and the uniformity of nature. This kick started my interest in philosophy. So, my initial reason for joining was because the forum offered a venue for my growing interest in epistomology, all thanks to presuppositional apologetics. My first post was on the justification of reason, I believe. My writing was terrible back then, but it gradually got better.

Indeed. Compared to Purple Pond I have something like 315 topics in total. I practically live here.

. Also, if you think about it, you can't be that addicted considering you joined this particular forum 2 years ago and only have a total of 283 posts (about 12 posts a month) — Mr Phil O'Sophy

I'm talking about being addicted the past two weeks where I practically post a discussion every day. And my addiction isn't only writing regular posts. I don't spend a ridiculous amount of time writing the posts. No, I spend most of my time compulsively checking if anyone responded to what I've wrote. It's like I'm waiting for my daily dose of dope.

You're a good contributor to decent conversation. :up: — Mr Phil O'Sophy

Thanks, that means a lot to me. :grin:

How is your social life at the moment? Are you getting enough time with people you like to spend time with or have you become a recluse as of late? — Mr Phil O'Sophy

Ah, there's two problems. I live in an ultra-orthodox Jewish community and I'm no longer religious, so it's very difficult to make friends with the religious folk because I'm different. I also suffer from social anxiety disorder. I'm just terrified of people judging me. Given these two problems, it's hard for me to make and keep friends. So, yes, I am sort of a recluse. I spend most of my time in my room on the internet. Why do you ask?

Are you a psychologist/psychoanalyst by any chance? :razz:

:lol: no, I'm a 3rd year philosophy student at uni. — Mr Phil O'Sophy

Shame, I was looking for a therapist. A philosopher is no good because he is the opposite of a therapist in that therapist tries to stop you from overthinking while a philosopher encourages it. :razz:

A philosopher is no good because he is the apposite of a therapist in that therapist tries to stop you from overthinking while a philosopher encourages it. — Purple Pond

Bingo! :smile:

Seriously, I've been addicted to philosophy forums longer than you've been alive, so I hear you. I'm so addicted to forums that I spent literally years coding my own forum software from scratch.

However, there is a cure for addiction to this forum, or any philosophy forum. Find some other activity which engages you even more.

As example, I've just made the leap in to 3D animation over the last couple of weeks and my interest in this forum (and all philosophy forums) has plummeted as a result. For me at least it is because I'm bored with philosophy much of the time and am just doing it on auto-pilot frequently, repeating the same themes I've been writing on for years, to the same lack of interest as always. This isn't a particularly constructive pattern obviously.

If some young person has just discovered philosophy forums then that situation could be completely different.

Honestly, I think pretty much anything on the Internuts that takes up all our time is probably not too healthy. It's the medium itself that is much the problem. If I didn't spend a LOT of time in the woods, I'd likely be pounding the walls of some padded cell by now. :smile:

Some other stuff....

I'm just terrified of people judging me. — Purple Pond

To be more precise, it's probably more a case of you judging yourself, and judging other people too. If true, this is good news, as it really has nothing to do with other people, and it puts you in charge of your own destiny. Maybe try thinking kind thoughts about everyone you meet, and sooner or later you may extend that to yourself as well.

The thing is, we philosophy nerd types are typically not too adept at social stuff. There's no crime in that, it's just something to be managed. And, don't forget, those who are skilled at social stuff typically can't write the kind of quality posts you opened this thread with. We're all born with strengths and weaknesses, and the trick is to be grateful for the gifts while developing a sense of humor about that which we weren't given. As example...

Hi there, I'm Purple Pond, I kind suck at this social stuff, help me out here will ya? — Purple Pond

Said with a wink, a nod and a shrug. Your opening post shows you already have this gift in print so you may be able to transfer it to the real world too. And remember, if somebody judges you for being that honest, feel sad for them, because that's their problem, and not yours.

So like I said, I'm not addicted to typing at all. I could stop anytime I want, anytime at all, except wait, here's one more thing before I forget.... :smile:

Blah, blah, blah etc etc...

The thing is, we philosophy nerd types are typically not too adept at social stuff. — Jake

Tell me about it. My boss told me yesterday that until recently he had planned on "binning me", in part because out there in the real world I have a tendency to act more robot than human, especially around people I haven't known for long and don't immediately click with.

The other reason was my shocking incompetence. :lol: :groan:

here's one more thing before I forget.... :smile: — Jake

Speaking of addictions, "one more thing before I forget" was one of my Dad's trademark phrases. You'd go visit him and he'd talk non-stop over everyone for four hours. He was a good guy, he really was, but as he aged his need for attention skyrocketed, and he expressed that verbally, and no surprise here, very philosophically. I'm the same way, just as addicted, except that I vent my blowharding on the net instead of in person so that people can scroll on by if they wish. Thus, I feel less guilty, and can blowhard even more. :smile: And you thought I was being nice.

Anyway, after four hours of the verbal assault from my Dad you'd be standing in the driveway with one foot in the car, only moments away from freedom, and then he'd say...

"Oh, one more thing before I forget."

And you knew you were in for another 45 minutes. :smile:

Love ya Dad, but wow, the man could talk.

Most of the time, I don't even understand what people say.

Good. If you thought that you knew what they mean, then I'd worry about you.

So I really don't see me getting much out of this forum. — Purple Pond

Of course.

Michael Ossipoff

6 Th (South-Solstice WeekDate Calendar)

...Thursday of the 6th week of a calendar-year that started with the Monday that started closest to the South-Solstice.

Somebody shoot me now. :grimace:

Somebody shoot me now. :grimace: — Wheatley

That won't solve anything. What's the problem?

Addicted again. But now I'm trying to do other things. I'm currently watching Vox the mind explained on Netflix now. I'm watching an episode on anxiety and it's pretty interesting.

I think I think I'll be fine, thanks.

I think I think I'll be fine, thanks. — Wheatley

OK, just so that you know, my addiction is much worse than yours. It has become so absolute, that I have no life. But, I'm am very happy. So, try and find something that negates the premise in your mind that philosophy isn't a good thing, because this cannot be so.

So, try and find something that negates the premise in your mind that philosophy isn't a good thing, because this cannot be so. — Wallows

I think philosophy is great, I personally don't think it should be the sole focus of someone's life. Also, I'm not really addicted to philosophy, it's the forum I'm addicted to. I also have another online addiction (no, it's not porn). I found this website where you can create and upload memes. I'm just spending way too much time online, and it isn't fun constantly checking notifications, or checking if someone responded.

I think philosophy is great, I personally don't think it should be the sole focus of someone's life. Also, I'm not really addicted to philosophy, it's the forum I'm addicted to. I also have another online addiction (no, it's not porn). I found this website where you can create and upload memes. I'm just spending way too much time online, and it isn't fun constantly checking notifications, or checking if someone responded. — Wheatley

Sounds like anxiety. I know you mentioned that you have another diagnosis in another thread. Hows coming to terms with it? For me, it ended up being on disability, and contrary to what other people might say, it's the easiest life possible, and I'd do it again, as now I get to indulge in exclusively all my interests online (posting and reading and interacting with other people on this forum being the primary one), haha.

Sounds like anxiety. I know you mentioned that you have another diagnosis in another thread. Hows coming to terms with it? — Wallows

I've been diagnosed with schizophrenia by my old psychiatrist. New one just thinks I have anxiety and depression. My mood has been pretty stable for the past few months, I rarely feel any depression. I just signed up for a peer specialist and he's helping me. He even helped me readmit to community college for the spring semester.

For me, it ended up being on disability, and contrary to what other people might say, it's the easiest life possible, and I'd do it again, as now I get to indulge in exclusively all my interests online (posting and reading and interacting with other people on this forum being the primary one), haha. — Wallows

My illness is disabling for me. But I remember doing well in college despite it, and I had some really good experiences, so I'm going to try it again (for the third time).

It is easy, no girlfriend or wife, no job, no responsibilities, free government assistance etc..

My illness is disabling for me. But remember doing well in college despite it, and I had some really good experiences, so I'm going to try it again (for the third time).

It is easy, no girlfriend or wife, no job, no responsibilities, free government assistance etc.. — Wheatley

Well, you can be on disability and go to college, it's not an excluding factor. I'm not really college material even though I was there for a brief period, not do I have a drive to really indulge in jumping through hoops.

To each their own, I suppose.

To each their own, I suppose. — Wallows

I guess so. *Now back to Netflix*

One of the things that I found out that really helped me to understand why I keep coming here is that we are all fucking crazy. Just in different ways.

Some of the addicts are crazy enough to think that they know everything, others have convinced themselves that they know nothing and are here looking for the answers.
Some have faith that they desire to instill upon others, others just try to push things down your throat.
A few think that the have true knowledge to impart, and others think they are full of shit.

It comes down to the simple fact that, within reason, we are allowed to say what we think and have others try to "correct" our way of thinking. And most of us enjoy learning through this system.

Any intelligent person could get hooked on a place like this.

And I am celebrating the start of my vacation with a few brews, so don't pay too much attention to me or my spelling mistakes. :wink:

How would you feel if got banned from here? Out of curiousness.

Depends on what they say about me in the bannings thread. :wink: