Addiction to tech treatment

[ProperFerret]

I don't use any drug or substance to get relief from stress but I know that technology has evolved to a point where VR is being used to treat people who are facing mental troubles. I think it's a good thing but I wonder if someone could get so addicted that he'd want to be plugged forever to a supercomputer.

[TECSHARE]

I don't use any drug or substance to get relief from stress but I know that technology has evolved to a point where VR is being used to treat people who are facing mental troubles. I think it's a good thing but I wonder if someone could get so addicted that he'd want to be plugged forever to a supercomputer.

That is the plan. Get us all so tied in with computers so that we will willingly submit to having a facsimile of ourselves "live" on in a digital world in exchange for giving up our lives.

[ProperFerret]

That is the plan. Get us all so tied in with computers so that we will willingly submit to having a facsimile of ourselves "live" on in a digital world in exchange for giving up our lives.

That's an interesting but scary thought. However, many companies are working towards achieving that because we (all humans)  deeply long for immortality. I like to think like that:" If there's no demand, there can't be any supply".
If you think otherwise, then tell me why we have Neuralink and others?

[jossiel]

Even without these VR's or supercomputers the fact is we are already attached to our PC's so be it desktops or laptops. And perfect example is our smartphones. Every single thing that we do using these technologies, we get used to it and its going to the point that we can't live anymore with it.

This the reality and sadly happening. There are people also that find it as a solution to escape their real world problems that they can't deal with anymore. Too much usage whether related to technologies or not, does have bad effect.

[flametoken]

Anything that provides you pleasure could make you an addict. I think even technology could become addictive.

But unlike TECSHARE, I am not that pessimist. I think we will be able to have a direct interface with computers (see Neuralink and the post Tim Urban made about it on Wait but Why: https://waitbutwhy.com/2017/04/neuralink.html) and this in turn will protect us from AI domination, because we will be interfaced directly with it. Can't wait to experience the abundance such an interface will bring to humanity.

[ProperFerret]

Anything that provides you pleasure could make you an addict. I think even technology could become addictive.

But unlike TECSHARE, I am not that pessimist. I think we will be able to have a direct interface with computers (see Neuralink and the post Tim Urban made about it on Wait but Why: https://waitbutwhy.com/2017/04/neuralink.html) and this in turn will protect us from AI domination, because we will be interfaced directly with it. Can't wait to experience the abundance such an interface will bring to humanity.

I too don't think one should be that pessimistic about such an opportunity for us to know more about our brain/neural system but I understand that there are risks in every venture so I do as myself about our readiness to face any danger that may come with us being so dependent on technology.

[SkyFlakes]

I don't use any drug or substance to get relief from stress but I know that technology has evolved to a point where VR is being used to treat people who are facing mental troubles. I think it's a good thing but I wonder if someone could get so addicted that he'd want to be plugged forever to a supercomputer.

The current era of technology that we have makes everything that we could think of be possible. And this idea maybe is already existing or on its way. It is indeed that it is good that we are treating more diseases with the use of technology. But everything that exceeds the normal rate is bad for everyone. Thus, this ideas of addiction to technology treatments makes it more possible due to that reason.

[Chantella]

Even without these VR's or supercomputers the fact is we are already attached to our PC's so be it desktops or laptops. And perfect example is our smartphones. Every single thing that we do using these technologies, we get used to it and its going to the point that we can't live anymore with it.

This the reality and sadly happening. There are people also that find it as a solution to escape their real world problems that they can't deal with anymore. Too much usage whether related to technologies or not, does have bad effect.

I think that this is one of the greatest ideas put forward so far regarding this topic and clearly states that yes, we can be addicted to any sort of thing and especially technology and if someone wants they can use it to do harm. I've never really thought about how dangerous my "smartphone" addiction could be, but in reality I think a lot of people such myself would feel very insecure and like they have lost one of their limbs if they didnt have access to their smartphone or some other technological tools that has become part of our everyday lives. Same with treatments that will be done using technology such as VR.

Thanks for the thread, really eye-opening for me!

[FunGate]

Even without these VR's or supercomputers the fact is we are already attached to our PC's so be it desktops or laptops. And perfect example is our smartphones. Every single thing that we do using these technologies, we get used to it and its going to the point that we can't live anymore with it.

This the reality and sadly happening. There are people also that find it as a solution to escape their real world problems that they can't deal with anymore. Too much usage whether related to technologies or not, does have bad effect.

I remember hearing on a futurist podcast not too long ago that if aliens were to come to earth, the first thing they would probably notice is that our portable screens are our overlords lol.

I'm not sure anything is "good" or "bad" though. Everything has an upside and I guess one benefit of mass VR adoption (and eventual addiction) would be that various resources would be saved as people wouldn't require as much. All wars stem out of resource scarcity at the end of the day. Wars are economical not "ideological."

[ProperFerret]

Even without these VR's or supercomputers the fact is we are already attached to our PC's so be it desktops or laptops. And perfect example is our smartphones. Every single thing that we do using these technologies, we get used to it and its going to the point that we can't live anymore with it.

This the reality and sadly happening. There are people also that find it as a solution to escape their real world problems that they can't deal with anymore. Too much usage whether related to technologies or not, does have bad effect.

Humans get addicted to things that make them feel good and to me and many, it is normal. On the other hand, I think it's very important to make sure that technology does not become our enemy (especially with AI). If we lose the focus on the priorities related to our security as users of technology, then our actions will be counter-productive and possibly destructive.

[criza]

Technology has really revolutionized the way we live today. It makes our daily living at ease and more convenient. It also entertains us and now, it is used to treat certain diseases regarding mental health. This idea that became a reality can be seen as a triump in psychological field. However, a question with regards to the possible side effect of this which is addiction can not be just set aside. For me, we are gradually getting addicted to technological stuff around us. I think it is because it enables us to create, build, and have our own world that completely responds to our wants. I believe that if we come to a point where we are getting addicted more, from this moment on rather, we should take an action and willingly regulize ourself in technological exposure, because anything in excessive amount, is harmful and destructive.

[Spendulus]

I don't use any drug or substance to get relief from stress but I know that technology has evolved to a point where VR is being used to treat people who are facing mental troubles. I think it's a good thing but I wonder if someone could get so addicted that he'd want to be plugged forever to a supercomputer.

That is the plan. Get us all so tied in with computers so that we will willingly submit to having a facsimile of ourselves "live" on in a digital world in exchange for giving up our lives.

Well, except for what the Powers that Be do.

Watch what they actually do, versus what they tell us to do.

[Blanca_Gregory]

The problem with "being plugged into a supercomputer forever" is that there's not a technology that can make this possible. At least not yet. Plus, even if it is possible, ethical and moral issue will most certainly arise when this happens, depending on the manner of how this is going to be achieved. If it's simply through VR headsets a la the movie Ready Player One though, then I don't see any problem with that. The only challenge then is creating a digital world that is believable enough for the tech addict to want to "stay" plugged in forever.

[DelricoFabien]

I don't use any drug or substance to get relief from stress but I know that technology has evolved to a point where VR is being used to treat people who are facing mental troubles. I think it's a good thing but I wonder if someone could get so addicted that he'd want to be plugged forever to a supercomputer.

Have you got any articles on it? I would be interested to know what exactly and how they want to use VR to treat people.

[ProperFerret]

Have you got any articles on it? I would be interested to know what exactly and how they want to use VR to treat people.

Earlier this month, I got to read this short but interesting article on the possible therapeutic uses for VR:
https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2018/11/08/using-virtual-reality-to-treat-social-anxiety-post-traumatic-stress-disorders/
It was after reading it that I started wondering about any possible addiction to VR therapy. Hope you find it insightful.

[IndigoRed]

I don't use any drug or substance to get relief from stress but I know that technology has evolved to a point where VR is being used to treat people who are facing mental troubles. I think it's a good thing but I wonder if someone could get so addicted that he'd want to be plugged forever to a supercomputer.

I think VR is simply used a distraction -a temporary escape. But I don't think we should refer to the constant of use of VR as addictive, simply because we find t useful. There are things we use everyday --should we say we're addicts? But I agree that people would prefer to be immersed. The virtual world many times, could be better than our own world, right?

[Emily_Davis]

Plugged in forever, how? Anyway, even if being "plugged into technology" is possible, it will still have a bad effect on the person's health. Have you heard of the countless teens who died after being in front of the computer for a long period of time because they didn't even take a break (except for bathroom breaks, I think)?  So yes, it is possible that someone who's addicted to technology may want to stay online forever, but it may not be good for his health.

[ProperFerret]

I don't use any drug or substance to get relief from stress but I know that technology has evolved to a point where VR is being used to treat people who are facing mental troubles. I think it's a good thing but I wonder if someone could get so addicted that he'd want to be plugged forever to a supercomputer.

I think VR is simply used a distraction -a temporary escape. But I don't think we should refer to the constant of use of VR as addictive, simply because we find t useful. There are things we use everyday --should we say we're addicts? But I agree that people would prefer to be immersed. The virtual world many times, could be better than our own world, right?

But all my friends are addicted to video-games and play for days.
 I actually have no issue with living virtually but what if Tech companies like Facebook are still not transparent with the public about how they control people's activities through VR? That's what worries me the most!

[FilesFM_Announcements]

Once we become so involved with VR... what kind of psychological issues will people suffer from having to face thier physical frailty...are people doing to need anti depressants every time they become disconnected for a long period..
 

[ProperFerret]

Once we become so involved with VR... what kind of psychological issues will people suffer from having to face thier physical frailty...are people doing to need anti depressants every time they become disconnected for a long period..
 

Or maybe VR is the future of humanity. After all, people are spending an increasing amount of time on the internet. All we're asking for is transparency from tech companies regarding our online privacy.