"Wasting you life on a Computer"

[Lintire]

Just scroll to the bottom to miss the TL;DR bit

I've been told a few times that I waste my life on the Computer - that I'm poring all the time that I could be spending on life into the drain by browsing the internet, talking, and doing stuff with the time that could be spent... talking to friends, having a social life.

Now, I've been told this by my friends quite a few times, and although I've told them straight to their faces how boring I think they are, they insist on continuing to blare this boring advice straight into my face.

I've got to say that I've had more fun times on the internet then I ever had in real life. I've laughed so hard I've cried, I've cried so hard that I've ended up laughing. I've raged, trolled, been a total useless moron and a saint (more former then latter) - so why should I abandon my life here, my place where I talk to thousands instead of a few, my place where I matter (not on Newgrounds, mind you), for the outside world?

What I've experienced outside:

- Lots of physical and mental trauma
- Awkward situations where nothing happens
- That "one line" that someone spouts being used for days on end.

Well, I have to say, outside is fairly lame. It's tame. It's got none of the game.

So I have to say, what would be your favourite advice to blare out into the face of someone wasting their life outside? Someone who's should is subject to the horrible lameness of the outside world? With all that languishing under the Flame Orb and whatnot, you've got to save them.

You have to save people not going on the internet from themselves with boring advice. shoot.

[Jester]

I got bullied alot as a kid, so i've always been nervous around people. Nowadays i can safely say that i hate people.

Not emo kid "I hate the world", but a "People are assholes" kind of thing.

[N30Chaos]

At 9/10/10 11:30 PM, Lintire wrote: So I have to say, what would be your favourite advice to blare out into the face of someone wasting their life outside?

"Fuck off."

[Wyzenhu]

I don't know what to say except theres a good and bad side to everything.

[Onepiece285]

But there's porn on the internet.
There's no porn readily available outside.

[sixflab]

I enjoy my time on the computer. I tend to accomplish things as far as being socail and setting up plans.

[Shade]

I have decent social life, but still I don't get enough physical activity (outside of paintball) I only get off the web to play L4D

[akmeteor]

At 9/10/10 11:33 PM, Wyzenhu wrote: I don't know what to say except theres a good and bad side to everything.

Like dust in the wind I say.
We can give new life, and be fertile forever.
Or just say fuck it, and destroy all we see.

[Sekhem]

the only thing that matters is pleasure so if you have a good time then it's not wasted at all

[6r0undZ3r0]

Life requires a balance between the computer and socializing.

[3dog14]

brb gonna go fap

[qman1]

At 9/10/10 11:54 PM, 6r0undZ3r0 wrote: Life requires a balance between the computer and socializing.

^ This. When you finally grow hair on your peaches and get over your petty social anxiety, your social life starts out kind of slow and need something to fall back on when outside isn't an option.

[FireWOLF109]

omg, not to be mean or anything, but you have to go outside to do something some time... cause its not like you will find castle crushers in your back yard. You actualy have to make it fun yourself, like hunting for example... its fun, you get to shoot a gun, and you get dinner

[Lintire]

At 9/11/10 12:15 AM, qman1 wrote:

At 9/10/10 11:54 PM, 6r0undZ3r0 wrote: Life requires a balance between the computer and socializing.

^ This. When you finally grow hair on your peaches and get over your petty social anxiety, your social life starts out kind of slow and need something to fall back on when outside isn't an option.

Hmm, no. Not anxiety. I have absolutely no problem with going outside. I've done some pretty crazy (tame by most of your standards, I'm sure) shit in order to spice things up - everything from cross-dressing publicly to climbing a tree in the King George Square (Brisbane, I might actually get around to finding the pics later on) - and well, outside isn't a bad place.

It's when people start berating you for liking inside that I don't like. So I thought I might come up with some counter-advice of my own.

Here's a few that I've come up with!
"Enjoy your skin-cancer while it lasts, mate, not everyone gets that everytime"

"Don't you enjoy not being able to log out of life?"

"I've got a life. It's just neatly contained between a monitor and a PC and is accessible whenever I get bored of this poor excuse for socializing".

So yeah, social angst has nothing to do with it. I'm asking for for a sort of comeback.

[Gagsy]

Well as a fellow 'life waster online', I got to say the best thing anyone can do is hope for a healthy balance between the too.

Life isn't so bad. Of course everyone has negative experience but the worst thing you can do is to let that take over your life. You need to move on from the bad past in the hope of a better future, not hard online. I know this first hand.

Your friends will probably always think the way they do because they don't understand the attraction of hiding online and you might always think the way you do because you're afraid to live, scared of what bad could happen.

Perhaps you should try harder to be included with them irl (or else you might lose them) and still have the net to come back to at night. It ain't going anywhere.

[ohbombuh]

I'm unattractive, I come from a physically weak family, and I live in Iowa. Iowa! My sister's college is having trouble curbing student drinking habits because that's really all they have to do. Plus, the weather is always one extreme or another and bugs devour everything. I think I'm saving my life every minute I spend here. Besides, you get more exercise typing a few lines for a BBS post than you do sitting around staring at a TV.

[Lintire]

At 9/11/10 12:31 AM, Gagsy wrote: Perhaps you should try harder to be included with them irl (or else you might lose them) and still have the net to come back to at night. It ain't going anywhere.

I've been their friend for years, I've had good times and bad times with them too, and I don't plan on shoving them away just to spend more time on the internet - like you said, it's not going anywhere. Sure, I find outside boring but that doesn't change the fact that I still have to go there and it's ten times easier to suffer through it with some friends by your side.

No, no, that's not it at all. I feel like I've poorly explained myself in the OP - see, I've got nothing against my friends. I just think that they're total defense that any time spent on the net - I spend about 1 -2 hours a day on it, max (usually about 20 minutes(except those days where I go overboard on it)) - is wasted time is completely flawed and was looking for some comebacks.

I've got nothing against irl socializing - it's just not the only type of socializing worth doing, and that I wanted to make them see that through the use of witty and blatantly obvious advice.

I didn't mean to come off as socially retarded.

[Jaspeer]

Im gonna say im in 100% agreement with this thread if it were directed to me.. I spend MY WHOLE LIFE sitting here.. Its sad. I need some like computer rehab..

[Gagsy]

At 9/11/10 12:45 AM, Lintire wrote:

I didn't mean to come off as socially retarded.

oic

Well, my advice would be to just forget it. They still probably won't think otherwise if they believe a couple hours a day of net use is pointless. I wouldn't bother wasting your breath on it. If it gets annoying though, just ask them how you using the net affects their life in the slightest. Hopefully then they might sit back and realise that it really doesn't, and that it is your life and that you're free to spend it doing whatever you want.

Or they won't and they'll still say stupid stuff.

[KieranNG]

If it weren't for the internet and hanging out with mature people online I would still be an immature piece of shit.

[Dubbi]

In time, you will discover the euphoric joys only the outside world can provide - love, sex, friends, great memories, pride etc. So into then, have fun online; you'll step outside when you are ready.

[WaterShake]

At 9/10/10 11:30 PM, Lintire wrote: Just scroll to the bottom to miss the TL;DR bit

I've been told a few times that I waste my life on the Computer - that I'm poring all the time that I could be spending on life into the drain by browsing the internet, talking, and doing stuff with the time that could be spent... talking to friends, having a social life.

Now, I've been told this by my friends quite a few times, and although I've told them straight to their faces how boring I think they are, they insist on continuing to blare this boring advice straight into my face.

I've got to say that I've had more fun times on the internet then I ever had in real life. I've laughed so hard I've cried, I've cried so hard that I've ended up laughing. I've raged, trolled, been a total useless moron and a saint (more former then latter) - so why should I abandon my life here, my place where I talk to thousands instead of a few, my place where I matter (not on Newgrounds, mind you), for the outside world?

What I've experienced outside:

- Lots of physical and mental trauma
- Awkward situations where nothing happens
- That "one line" that someone spouts being used for days on end.

Well, I have to say, outside is fairly lame. It's tame. It's got none of the game.

So I have to say, what would be your favourite advice to blare out into the face of someone wasting their life outside? Someone who's should is subject to the horrible lameness of the outside world? With all that languishing under the Flame Orb and whatnot, you've got to save them.

You have to save people not going on the internet from themselves with boring advice. shoot.

I think you really need to have a talk with your family about this. Our judgments and opinions really have little value in this situation and quite frankly, they shouldn't matter to you. I think this is something you need to resolve on your own.

Spending time on the internet is not inherently bad. The internet can be fun, entertaining, informative and in some instances, it can even offer some substitutive forms of communication. But you should never seek to replace the real world with the digital one.

There are things in life that just cannot be experienced over the internet. These things are vital to creating a well rounded person. Life alone can have serious repercussions on your mental pysche. I whole heartedly recommend you avoid it.

What I think you need to do is as follows. Look at what you spend your doing. Then ask yourself, will spending my time like this help me to realise my life ambitions? Will I be thankful in 5 years time that I spent this time in this way? In 10 years time, will I even remember doing any of this?

If you are disappointed with the answers to these questions, then you need to rethink your life.

[Lintire]

At 9/11/10 03:03 AM, WaterShake wrote: I think you really need to have a talk with your family about this. Our judgments and opinions really have little value in this situation and quite frankly, they shouldn't matter to you. I think this is something you need to resolve on your own.

Spending time on the internet is not inherently bad. The internet can be fun, entertaining, informative and in some instances, it can even offer some substitutive forms of communication. But you should never seek to replace the real world with the digital one.

There are things in life that just cannot be experienced over the internet. These things are vital to creating a well rounded person. Life alone can have serious repercussions on your mental pysche. I whole heartedly recommend you avoid it.

What I think you need to do is as follows. Look at what you spend your doing. Then ask yourself, will spending my time like this help me to realise my life ambitions? Will I be thankful in 5 years time that I spent this time in this way? In 10 years time, will I even remember doing any of this?

If you are disappointed with the answers to these questions, then you need to rethink your life.

The funny thing is that my family doesn't really have a problem with how much time i spend online - as long as I get crap done - and i do, I deliver, then I'm free to do whatever the hell I want as long as not too loud, appear to be doing something functional (a reason I don't really play videogames anymore, they seem to have a problem with it, and I'm fine with that) - like, say, typing - and am in a reasonable state for the next day, then whatever, it's cool.

It's my school-friends that have a problem with it, and I really don't appreciate them going on about it the way they do. I let slip that I had over a thousand posts on one website - and they went on for the rest of the day going on about how much of an addict I am. It's not cool, and I don't like it, but it's not like I exactly "click" with anyone else - I am, after all, a complete nerd, so my choice in friends is limited.

It's for that reason that NG's opinions actually matter more to me then theirs - they don't know that I'm much of an artist, a writer, or anything really, and I intend to keep it that way. Although it's cool to blow the time away with them, they can be pitifully short-sighted, and while I can't blame them for that, being subject to their scathing opinions isn't something I'd like to do - which is why, in a roundabout way, I asked you guys for comebacks.

I have to admit, I do sort of want to replace my current world with a digital one - in the digital world, everything is so clean, organized, and in a very neat manner. People troll and mess around, sure, but compared to the inherent closeness of IRL conversations, there's no real meaning behind it - it's just messing around, fun. You don't get that IRL. It's all got some motive behind it, everyone has a reason for doing everything.

Everything I've experienced IRL, I wouldn't have earned if it weren't for the internet. The internet taught me how to talk to people, how to not piss them off - even if I apparently come off as a suave motherfucker sometimes (been told this by friends and random strangers alike) and if it weren't for the internet, I'd still be the one kid in the corner, reading books and playing videogames trying frantically to escape the real world.

It's because of the internet that I'm a digital artist, that I've learned to love and enjoy something that began as a pathetic hobby. Yeah, I see myself on here in 5 or 10 years time, albeit in a more causal manner, and yeah, this place is helping me to recognize my dreams. I've taken several long hard looks at myself today, as I do every other Saturday, and I have to say some pointers:
- Life is about doing stuff we enjoy, so art > maths
- I really need to up my daily pushup quota to 30, I'm really not losing any weight
- lolqut is that Mario?
- I do NOT appreciate some people, who under other circumstances I would consider BOGAN, telling me how I should run my life - especially if it means getting tangled in theirs.

I appreciate the comment, though. Gave me a little time to think while I was typing. Are you sure you don't have any comebacks?

[oiMate]

Well, I have to say, outside is fairly lame. It's tame. It's got none of the game.

Outside is fun as! i'd rather be outside then sitting on the computer all day.

[WaterShake]

Regardless of wether your parents have a problem with this, I think it's a problem. You've expressed a clear desire to live your life in a digital world, as apposed to the real world.

Regardless of wether your willing to accept it or not, real life friendships inherently have more value than those generated online. Approximately 7-11% of communication is expressed through words. Given that all communication online is expressed through words, the value of online relationships and conversations is inherently lower than that of the real world.

You mention how all those in the real world have motive behind their actions. Do you seriously think the online world is any different? Communication online is entirely self authorised. You have no way to prove or disprove the things I construct. I could convincingly create an account tomorrow posing as an Indian middle aged woman and start to befriend you.

If you are happy to spend your time on the computer, so be it. But i'm fearful that in the future, you may regret this course of action.

Please consider your future, i.e job and higher education predicaments.

[WaterShake]

At 9/11/10 03:25 AM, Lintire wrote:

At 9/11/10 03:03 AM, WaterShake wrote:

- I really need to up my daily pushup quota to 30, I'm really not losing any weight

If your looking to lose weight, i'd recommend cardiovasclar exercsie as apposed to muscle training. You will lose weight at a relatively quick rate if you take up distance running for example. Even if you just run 5KM a day then i'm sure you'd start seeing results within a few weeks.

If you want any more advice on running or exercise in general, feel free to PM me. I'm currently training for a marathon and have a competitive 5KM raise in 4 days time: i.e I do a lot of running.

[36Holla]

I'd look at it from your friend's perspective and to be honest, I'm surprised you have friends who still want to hang out with you after the way you've talked about them being boring. I mean, if you really find them that boring, then why do you even talk to them in the first place? They just want you to hang out and be around and if you continuously reject them on that, you might find yourself not getting invited out at all. It's not going to hurt to get out every once in awhile.

[Lintire]

At 9/11/10 03:42 AM, WaterShake wrote: Regardless of wether your parents have a problem with this, I think it's a problem. You've expressed a clear desire to live your life in a digital world, as apposed to the real world.

Regardless of wether your willing to accept it or not, real life friendships inherently have more value than those generated online. Approximately 7-11% of communication is expressed through words. Given that all communication online is expressed through words, the value of online relationships and conversations is inherently lower than that of the real world.

You mention how all those in the real world have motive behind their actions. Do you seriously think the online world is any different? Communication online is entirely self authorised. You have no way to prove or disprove the things I construct. I could convincingly create an account tomorrow posing as an Indian middle aged woman and start to befriend you.

If you are happy to spend your time on the computer, so be it. But i'm fearful that in the future, you may regret this course of action.

Please consider your future, i.e job and higher education predicaments.

I accept that the amount of words that's produced online will only have an 11% of the effect that a person-to-person conversation will have, I really do. Nothing can really match them sitting there with another person, talking about total random things. I like to do it. It's just that they turn it onto the one subject and I'm not very happy about it, so I just wanted a couple of comebacks to through at them next time we met. None of you have comebacks. Why is that?

And of course, everyone has an agenda. The thing is, on the internet, you choose whether or not it affects. They can't do much to you unless you let them. I'm not quite sure how to compare it to IRL without sounding liek a pussy, but I'm sure there's some reasoning there.

I am happy to spend time on the computer - and as long as I don't spend too much time, and try to limit myself as much as possible and appreciate that, in the long run, all the time here is spent for naught - therefore I've GOT to be having a good time or I'm wasting it.

I'm not putting my future at risk for any online community.

At 9/11/10 03:47 AM, WaterShake wrote: If you want any more advice on running or exercise in general, feel free to PM me. I'm currently training for a marathon and have a competitive 5KM raise in 4 days time: i.e I do a lot of running.

I'll look into it - while my body protests against losing weight as opposed to gaining muscle - very heavily built (not to mention fat) - cardiovascular exercise has been recommended quite a few times and it's sounds pretty nonchalance and easy to do, so thanks for the recommendation.

At 9/11/10 03:55 AM, 36Holla wrote: I'd look at it from your friend's perspective and to be honest, I'm surprised you have friends who still want to hang out with you after the way you've talked about them being boring. I mean, if you really find them that boring, then why do you even talk to them in the first place? They just want you to hang out and be around and if you continuously reject them on that, you might find yourself not getting invited out at all. It's not going to hurt to get out every once in awhile.

We've been talking about the same 4 fucking champions in League of Legends for the past 6 months - they're boring people, and they know it. I've been trying to turn around the conversation for a while now - I played the game like twice. I mean, Jesus Christ, there's only so many ways you can talk about the one thing.
I talk to them because they're good people with intelligent opinions, but no subject matter. Perhaps the boringness isn't their fault - I truly doubt that it is. But since I haven't played any real videogames since forever and that they seem destined to play out the same exact conversation about Hiemerdinger every time we talk, it gets boring.

And apparently they keep talking to me for my wicked sense of humour, quick wit and no real soul. Hell if I know, but it's not like I'd insult them if I were to think they'd take it literally.

[WaterShake]

At 9/11/10 04:42 AM, Lintire wrote:

At 9/11/10 03:42 AM, WaterShake wrote:

I accept that the amount of words that's produced online will only have an 11% of the effect that a person-to-person conversation will have, I really do. Nothing can really match them sitting there with another person, talking about total random things.

So if you can see that, i'm sure you can see why it would be detrimental to, as you say: "replace my current world with a digital one "

None of you have comebacks. Why is that?

Your asking us to attack people on the basis that they spend to much time having fun. Surely you can see how flawed that is?

At 9/11/10 03:47 AM, WaterShake wrote: If you want any more advice on running or exercise in general, feel free to PM me. I'm currently training for a marathon and have a competitive 5KM raise in 4 days time: i.e I do a lot of running.

cardiovascular exercise has been recommended quite a few times and it's sounds pretty nonchalance and easy to do, so thanks for the recommendation.

You've been sorely misinformed. Intensive cardiovascular exercise is one of the most challenging things that we can participate in.

[HettySpaghetti]

I agree with this. Its more fun facing your facebook rather than facing youre book.