Internet Depression?
by Don Wrege
Stop the presses . . or should I say, "stop depresses!" A recent New York Times
story reported that researchers at Carnegie Melon University, (hereinafter
referred to as Melon Heads), claim home internet use contributes to depression.
Newspapers nationwide picked it up and placed it prominently. I wonder why?
I'm not surprised a newspaper would deem this story fit for front page exposure.
Traditional newspaper publishing is seriously threatened by the World Wide Web.
Consider the waste. I purchase two papers a day and by the end of the week,
including the huge Sunday editions, have over fifteen pounds of newsprint to
recycle. So much landfill, so little news.
Interactive media demands choices, unlike the more traditionally passive
newspaper and television set. Having to make choices, they would have us believe,
causes depression. Don't worry, be happy, log off.
One has to read all the way to the end of the article to discover that the study
was based on 169 residents of Pittsburgh. At least they finally admit, " . . . it
is unclear how the findings apply to the general population." It is only unclear
to the Melon Heads. Living in Pittsburgh is reason enough to be depressed. The
conclusions are bogus.
While this questionable research allowed newspapers across the country to place
screaming headlines on their front pages about the supposed dangers of internet
use, who in reality is truly depressed by increasing use of the Web? That would
be the owners, editors and employees of newspapers. The Web is going to eat their
lunch and they can see it coming.
As for me, getting ink all over my fingertips makes me manic.
Light, anyone?
