Shattering Geek Myths
Published January 14, 2004
A new study "shatters" the everyday image of Internet geeks.
The findings of the first World Internet Project report present an image of the average Netizen that contrasts with the stereotype of the loner "geek" who spends hours of his free time on the Internet and rarely engages with the real world.Instead, the typical Internet user is an avid reader of books and spends more time engaged in social activities than the non-user, it says. And, television viewing is down among some Internet users by as much as five hours per week compared with Net abstainers, the study added.
"Use of the Internet is reducing television viewing around the world while having little impact on positive aspects of social life," said Jeffrey Cole, director of the UCLA Center for Communication Policy, the California university that organized the project.
Now, note the concept "typical Internet user." Given the explosion in Internet use (I mean, c'mon, my dad uses the Internet), is this really "shattering" much? Or is that just more of that journalistic "controversy puffing" we've all come to know and hate? I'm sure there's plenty of traditionally stereotypical computer geeks out there (and we're proud of it, darn it!). It's just so many other folks are playing with their toys now, it's hard to see them.
And I love the breathlessness with which studies like this report things like "use of the Internet is reducing television viewing." Okay, as memory serves, we each get 24 hours each day. The time you spend on one thing, you can't spend on something else (save for multi-taskers, of course). But it certainly makes sense that if I'm surfin' that ol' world wide web, I'm probably not watching Gilligan's Island on TV Land. C'mon, people. Tell us something we don't know already.
Note: The author wastes a considerable amount of time writing about a variety of topics over at Walloworld, where this post originally appeared.
- Shattering Geek Myths
- Published: January 14, 2004
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- Section: Sci/Tech
- Filed Under: Sci/Tech: Internet
- Writer: W.E. Wallo
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Comments on this articleComments
I think it's kind of funny that they make a big deal out of people spending time away from the TV . . . in front of what basically is another TV - the computer monitor. Either way, the activity level is the same, you are still sitting, doing very little for long periods of time. When people are stepping away from both the TV and computer and going outside to play baseball or just do something, anything, then that will be news.
There's a difference in mental states between TV watching and computer monitoring. TV induces a much more passive state. Of course, playing baseball outdoors is a whole nuther thing.
There are clearly various states of passivity/activity with both TV and computers: reviewing a TV show is very different from falling asleep on the couch in a drunken stupor with "Saved By the Bell" on.
One of my favorite computer-related activities is lifting weights in between returning emails and comments at night - the timing of natural breaks in each works out perfectly and the mix of physical and mental activity is refreshing. This also makes me feel less inclined to punch people with whom I disagree.
One of these days I'm going all the way and I'm going to do exercises WITH the computer in a pure expression of multitasking that may whisk me to another dimension.
Wow, Eric. That sounds like it'll be a truly relevatory experience.
Yes, unfortunately I am bound to this earth for now.
heh, maybe you could get one of those VR suits. Altho i believe they're pretty expensive and very limited in what they can do (there's also a problem i don't think that's solved yet, whereby usage of a proper VR system for longer than about half an hour induces acute nausea, headaches and even vomiting)
Well. . . .
I would have to consider more of the data gathered with some research safeguards to determine what a 'typical' Internet user is like.
I do look at the most popular sites and searches at places like PopDex pretty often. It is not encouraging if one wants to believe bright, well-read people are the norm for Net junkies. My guess is that folks who are into brain candy when listening to music, watching television or reading that occassional book are also shallow as a teardrop on the Internet. This may be more about personality type than the medium.
does anyone no anygoods site of greek myths?
pleese send a link to me
You are just one letter off-base,luv.
But what a difference it makes eh?
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I was under the impression the pejorative connotations of owning a computer went away when everyone had to buy one to get email