Читать книгу Overcoming Internet Addiction For Dummies - David N. Greenfield - Страница 80

What is content intoxication? This involves understanding how varying forms of content, when consumed via the Internet, have greater power to elevate mood and instigate changes in the reward center of the brain. Many of these forms of content, such as shopping, stock trading, gambling, video gaming, and porn, existed prior to the Internet and were quite pleasurable (and potentially addictive), but when consumed through the Internet medium, they become even more intoxicating and addictive.

For example, pornography has been around for quite some time and certainly existed before we had the Internet. It was always stimulating to look at it, when viewing it in books, magazines, films, photos, or on videotapes and DVDs. But when the Internet became more widely available in the early to mid-1990s, it was a new ball game. The ease of access, availability, anonymity, disinhibition, and convenience all coalesced to produce an immersive experience unlike previous forms of media or communication. The Internet allows for endless variety, privacy, and interactivity in a way never seen before. This was content on steroids, and thus began an entirely new type of addiction. (Chapter 9 has more information on pornography online.)

The Internet amplifies the power of anything it broadcasts in a new and different way, and it happens without your knowing that your brain is slowly being conditioned — just as if you were playing a slot machine. Rewarding and stimulating behaviors are one thing, but when provided via an Internet platform, they become quite another.