Virtual Reality: not the real thing

By Kendra K. Spenard, '08|Staff Reporter

Kendra K. Spenard, 08'

How many hours a day are you on the internet? The University of Berkley conducted a study which shows that the average person spends 53.2 hours a month using search engines alone. 60 billion emails are sent daily using the internet. 

Being called the “dot.net” generation clearly illustrates how much we rely on computers and electronics on a daily basis. Sara Jackson, a student from Oneida High School, spends “four to five hours a night” on the internet. Electronics definitely have their pros; fast communication, easily accessible information and entertainment are only a few of the positives. But what happens when something designed for convenience becomes the center of life?

I also am guilty of this. While in high school, I’d get off the school bus, drop my books on the kitchen table upon entering and then head straight to the computer room.

Mary Schlimme, a college student from Bryn Mawr, wrote a paper in 2002 titled, “Do We Need a Video Gamers Anonymous?” Schlimme brought up a good point. However, much like any other obsession, how would someone know when they were truly addicted and needed help? Justin Meyer, EzineArticles.com’s “expert author”, said certain signs of internet obsession can be obsessively checking email, “Reading your friend’s blog. And your friend’s friend’s blog. And then the random blogs that are linked from them”, and IMing excessively.”

The website www.theparentreport.com tries to inform parents on the dangers of excessive gaming. This article on video games said that some studies have shown that a chemical is released into the brain due to the excitement brought on by video games. It is speculated that this could be the cause of a physical addiction to video games.

A movie that came out in the past year addressed the possible dangers of over using electronics. In the movie Pulse, the story line was the dead coming back into contact with the living through electronic pulses. I’m not worried so much about the dead coming back as I am about the message it sent regarding electronics. This message was that they are everywhere and we rely on them a great deal. What happens when they aren’t there to rely on? If we are going to depend on electronics we have to at least  consider what we would do if suddenly we were without them; due to nuclear war or even a natural disaster.

Now, I’m not saying to drop your cell-phone, iPod, or remote and immediately go hug a tree. However, I am saying that instead of sitting at the computer for four hours designing your myspace page; maybe go for a walk or participate in physical activities instead. My advice is to be aware and connected to your world outside the television and computer screens. Don’t let virtual reality become your world.