FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS (dooyoo Addiction)

Name: marandina

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Product:	dooyoo Addiction
Date:	04.11.02 (119 review reads)
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Ironically, I've never read any Hemingway but it seemed rather apt for this opinion. Oh well, this could easily turn into a eulogy so I'll try to make it useful. So....Dooyoo addiction. I suppose it makes sense to define addiction to start with so that we know what we're dealing with. Needless to say, there will be dictionary definitions of the word but, for me, the easiest way to think of addiction is as a dependency on something. Of course, there are all kinds of addiction e.g. smoking, drugs, alcohol etc.

So how would you know if you are addicted to Dooyoo? Like most addictions the signs will be there. Maybe not sweaty palms and cold turkeys having been away from the site for a couple of hours but feeling the need to log on daily, maybe or even several times a day. Dooyoo can get you like that,always wondering what you are missing; who's posted recently; who had read your latest piece and so on.

Addictions generally aren't associated with being nice. After all, you're hardly in control and my own experience of this is akin to smoking. I always enjoyed smoking although the unfortunate side effect of it eventually killing you wasn't so hot. The thing I hated was having a craving first thing in the morning, after every meal, whenever I went to the pub and last thing at night. Basically, the habit ruled me and Dooyoo can be just like that. I can assure anybody reading this that there are plenty of addicts on Dooyoo.

Another symptom is the blurring of boundaries between your online life and real life. Essentially, online associations aren't real. They can be made real by meeting up with people but, in the meantime, we tend to hide behind a created persona that enables the user to become someone they're not (if they choose to). We've all read about folks meeting up with the local pervert who's pretended to be someone different so it pays to be cautious when arranging meetings. This blurring can res
ult in people spending all day online and forgetting to actually live their life. I know from talking to other people that they have been so engrossed that they have passed up on going to the toilet just to read one more opinion or reply to one more message.

I suppose this all comes back to the reasons for writing in the first place. There are those that crave feedback and simply live for comments left on their work. This, in itself, is compulsive and gives a kind of validation to that individual who will be cock-a-hoop at anyone telling them that their stuff is good or distraught at being told it's not).

There are serial posters (makes 'em sound a bit like serial killers, he he) who simply have to write something and experience the buzz of pressing the submit button knowing that their latest masterpiece will be available to the Internet world at large. The draw here is the continuance of writing and posting that could be confused with churning but may not be. I know plenty of folks that write top-draw stuff but write and post virtually every day.

There are those that will write for financial gain. They will see their Dooyoo miles clicking up as they keep posting and there's naffin wrong with that. The addiction here is driven by the desire to earn as much as possible from writing.

There are those that desire inclusion. By writing, reading and rating etc they feel part if a group or community which can supplement or replace their real life support structure but will be a crucial part of the humanistic desire to be liked or loved.

Controlling addictions is difficult by definition. Discipline is one suggestion where, maybe, you will make sure you only log on at certain times or on certain days. Another is to take regular breaks from the site. Of course, if you feel that Dooyoo is taking over then it may be that the best thing may be to quit all together. Again, I know of a number of people who have been told by
their doctor to stay away from sites like this because they get so involved that their blood pressure goes through the roof.

So to myself. Well, I've been on Dooyoo for nearly a year now and would class myself as close to addicted. I like nothing better than too log on, read a few opinions, leave a few comments and string together the odd opinion. I do log on every day and have made things even worse by agreeing to guide for the site. For the record, I was approached by another member about guiding a few times before I eventually agreed and only ever really did it to help him although I have enjoyed the involvement over the last few months.

I can recall a conversation with Jimblob on Op.com a while back where we pondered how we would go if ever we left the site. We agreed that we would quietly slip away as opposed to any large fanfares so this next bit is a tad ironic as it's turned out. I did try to leave Ciao back in August having left a message that I wouldn't be around until next year with the intention of disappearing out of the back door forever. However, one particular message that was left made me change my mind. This time I'm more organised having cashed in my miles so there is no financial incentive to stay. I've also resigned as Community Guide so any budding guidesters out there can e-mail Katie Bingham about the vacancy if they wish.

I suppose I owe to a few to explain my reasons why so here goes. I love participating on Dooyoo but the recent events, what with the continued lack of progress with putting the site right and the subsequent launch in Germany has left me without any more desire to carry on. What had made things worse is the continual posting of anti-Dooyoo opinions when, to me, a much more productive line would be to take up these issues with the site directly, get a reply and then post the exchange so that readers can get an objective version of what's going on. I did this with Ciao about
a year ago so I know it's possible and I can't help thinking that these online rants (although veeeeeeery entertaining) are a little self-serving although maybe people simply have to vent their feelings even if they really don't help anybody. I realise people will say that Dooyoo doesn't listen but if that's the case then how can jumping up and down help? There is more than one person that's done this and, curiously, they tend to be from people I like and respect. Whilst I don't blame them at all, I simply don't like this approach and it leaves me deflated and cold. Of course, the reality is that I have a pretty busy life anyway and streamlining my online commitments will help no end to make things a bit easier for me.

I've found the answer to my addiction for now and that is I won't be writing on Dooyoo. I may come back in the New Year, I honestly don't know but anyone that appears on Ciao, the bad news is that I will still be around for a while. Who knows, I may disappear from Ciao too at some point, I dunno really.

It is customary at wakes (apart from getting pissed) to remember the person that's snuffed it and all that but this isn't a wake and it's probably not appropriate to single out individuals or particular opinions. What I can say is that this year has been a lot of fun and I do class a lot of people as real friends (even if I haven't met you). I sincerely hope that nobody is offended by any comments I've ever made including those in this opinion and if you over on Ciao I may see you there.

I hope that Dooyoo is still around in 2003 although the signs aren't good. I'm sure that most folks have an addiction of some kind and if it's Dooyoo I hope that this opinion helps in some way. If not....at least I tried. Oh..and by the way..life's waaaaaaay too short so for Lordy's sake enjoy it! :o)

All the best.

Marandina

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;Disappears to Pete's hammock knowing nobody will frickin' read this anyway>>

Yes ~ I'm just editing the flippin' question marks.....sheesh.

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