Information Deprivation Disorder

India
January 27, 2011 5:00am CST
This is a new age addition. A recent study named ‘Unplugged’, showed that those who are forced to stay away from internet, cell phones, computers, i-pods, televisions, radios even newspapers for 24 hours; only ,allowed to read books and use land-line phones, show pretty much the same symptoms of deprivation as those who try to give up smoking or drugs. It seems true because of the thirst for information and ones need to remain updated to know what is going on in the world outside. This experiment was conducted on volunteers at 12 universities around the world. Quitting smoking or giving up on drugs is a rather difficult process, because one has to recalibrate the mind and the body to do ‘without the stimulus’, that he/she got from smoking or the drugs. The participants were asked to keep diaries about what they felt. Many recorded feeling fidgety, anxious or isolated. Many tried to reach for the cell phones, though they were not there. [i][b]Well, how you will feel if isolated like this? I can manage without computer, internet, but not cell phones. I must talk to my sons, daughter and some very close friends. Share your opinion please.[/b][/i] Professor ‘Bhuwan’. . Cheers have a lucky day ahead.
2 people like this
11 responses
@NoWayRo (1061)
• Romania
27 Jan 11
That's a very interesting study, though I think for me 24 hours would not be such a big problem, I would probably start feeling the withdrawal symptoms after a few days. I don't use my cellphone very often, but I like to know it's around when I need it, it can get me out of some really tight situations (for instance, one time when I got stuck in an elevator, it was really good that I had my cell with me). I don't know how I would do without the computer, it's been so many years since my job is computer-related, and some of my entertainment as well, I'd probably miss it the most. A nice day to you too!
1 person likes this
• India
27 Jan 11
I was also once stuck in the elevator, the cell phone helped.. Thank you so much for instant response friend. Professor ‘Bhuwan’. . Cheers have a lucky day ahead.
• Philippines
28 Jan 11
Wait, are you sure you have signal inside the elevator? I'm pretty sure there aren't signals inside because every time I use an elevator, my phone's signal as well as the other people inside disappear.
@NoWayRo (1061)
• Romania
28 Jan 11
100% sure, since I used the phone on that occasion You're thinking of the new, high tech elevators, where the doors seal perfectly, but this wasn't the case. If the elevator doesn't have any walls, just a metal grid, there's no reason for the cell phone not to work inside, there's nothing to block the signal. The link goes to a picture of the type of elevator I have in mind: www.flickr.com/photos/lrargerich/3253876968/
@inu1711 (5285)
• Romania
27 Jan 11
Hello Professor, I don't think I'd feel isolated, especially that you said I'd have the chance to use the land-line phone. Mobile phones are not for me. I don't feel well when it rings and I am asked "Hi, where are you?" I have a cell phone because everybody has (at least!) one and I must go with the wave. I could survive if I had no Internet and no computer, but I surely couldn't survive without my friends from the real life and my family.
• India
27 Jan 11
Thank you so much for sharing, am glad to know you will not feel isolated. Professor ‘Bhuwan’. . Cheers have a lucky day ahead.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
28 Jan 11
HArd to not get on internet when I get up as this is my rutine to check emails lol. Cell phone is used only to call family that is on my program I use land line alot!
• Philippines
28 Jan 11
I'm a loner so being isolated is not a problem for me ^_^. Though losing my computer and radio would be quite hard but i think i can manage. I would just sleep the whole day away hahahaha ^_^
• Philippines
28 Jan 11
I'm a loner so being isolated is not a problem for me ^_^. Though losing my computer and radio would be quite hard but i think i can manage. I would just sleep the whole day away hahahaha ^_^
• Philippines
28 Jan 11
I'm a loner so being isolated is not a problem for me ^_^. Though losing my computer and radio would be quite hard but i think i can manage. I would just sleep the whole day away hahahaha ^_^
@mayka123 (16605)
• India
28 Jan 11
While reading this discussion I realized that I would not be able to remain without a cell phone. I need to talk to my daughter several times a day. I can manage without television, internet and newspaper.
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
27 Jan 11
I will curl up with a good book and feel just fine...
@blue65packer (11826)
• United States
28 Jan 11
I can leave without a cell phone if I had to. I mostly got one for emergencies. I still have my line phone. I need to keep that or no internet service! I get my internet through my phone company. It is good and less then other internet services. I use my land line phone,too! With a computer that would be hard! I recently had to give my older brother my computer to get rid of viruses again! It was hard to live without a computer at home! I did use the ones at work on breaks. If I really had to do it,I could! It would be hard but I could do it!
• Philippines
27 Jan 11
As the saying goes, "No man is an island." You can't just isolate someone for a day from what's happening around the globe or even around the block. Even I'm not fond of the news and yet imagining it makes my skin crawl. I don't think I'll be able to stand that kind of controlled environment, at least not without my cellphone. I use it mostly for browsing so I'm more up-to-date with the games, sports, music, etc.. that I wanna get informed of. Without my phone, I'll go crazy.
@qianyun6 (2067)
• China
28 Jan 11
Hi, Professor2010! I can't imagine that kind of life. I think it's very terrible for me to live a day without my computer. This is the period of information. I feel getting behind even though I keep in touch with world every day, let alone being isolated.