I need a DU break.... - Democratic Underground

mike_c

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Thu Mar-10-11 08:29 PM
Original message

I need a DU break....

This will be the third or fourth time I've taken a short break from DU since I started lurking in 2001. I need a break for some of the same reasons as before-- outrage fatigue, a noted tendency to be short-tempered in conversations with other DUers, and pervasive anger at the news. Pretty much all the news. I've found before that even a short break can make a big difference in my perspective, not to mention my ability to be civil.

But there's another reason that's figuring into my thinking this time, too. I'm developing-- or maybe just beginning to REALLY notice-- a terrible case of "DU clickitis." DU clickitis manifests itself as a compulsive desire to click on General Discussion, My DU, and the Greatest Page just one more time before I get up and do something productive. Really. Just one more cycle through my favorite forums before I get off my chair and get some work done. Or whatever. Just once or twice more....

How many other folks find themselves spending HOURS a day clicking through forum after forum? How many can relate to that cartoon where the guy is typing frantically at his keyboard while his wife calls "Honey, come to bed!" and he replies "I can't-- SOMEBODY IS WRONG ON THE INTERNET!"?

This is such a great site. It's one of the best social media sites on the internet for folks whose world view is congruent with the site's regulations, and it's even a compulsion for a bunch of folks who aren't. It's a different kind of social media than, say, Facebook, but when you've been around here as long as lots of us have, you come to recognize and develop quasi-relationships with other long time DUers. You know what positions they're likely to carve out in debates. My ignore list is the history of my Unlike selections, LOL. So yes, I love this community.

Still, I had most of today free and had a number of things planned. Some time at the gym, a sauna, and a trip to a local beach to take advantage of the great weather to do some sketching. A surprise lunch with my partner. Dinner at home tonight with some friends. All good things, but none of them happened. Not one. Oh, the dinner is still on, yet here I sit in my office typing on DU instead of being in the kitchen at home. This isn't the first time. It probably isn't even the hundredth.

I don't know whether it's DU that's the compulsion or whether it's staying connected to current events that's become so compelling, but lately I've been having to struggle with myself to STOP CLICKING ON GD AGAIN! I mean really struggle. It goes on for hours at a time. I feel like a junkie.

I gave up television over 20 years ago because it is mostly inane, but also because the time it eats up from our lives is irreplaceable. Suddenly I'm beginning to feel similarly about DU-- not that it's inane, of course, but rather that I'm wasting too much of what limited time I have, clicking and clicking and clicking, stoking the outrage and pounding furiously at the keyboard. Meanwhile, I missed both the sunrise and the sunset today-- well, maybe I can catch the last rays of sunset if I hurry. So it's time to go for a while.

This isn't one of those drama queen I'm-leaving-so-don't-try-to-stop-me posts. When I'm ready for my Walt Starr moment, I'll make it an exit we can all savor. I'm just going to take a break for a week or two, hopefully a bit longer.

Ya'll have fun while I'm gone.