Are You Emotionally Involved With Your Computer?

from the it's-just-a-box... dept

It's really not all that surprising that people become emotionally involved with their computers, but here are some numbers on just how strong that relationship is for folks in the UK. Children, it appears, have the strongest connection - to the point that some are saying their computers will be considered more important to them than family members. Already, many consider their computers "a friend". No news on how many consider it "a foe". Apparently, though, people do like to boast about their computers to friends (with men being more likely to bring up their computer in conversation). Does this mean baby pictures will have to fight for room with computer pictures? I'm sure for some they already do.
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  • identicon
    DanTekGeek, 24 Feb 2004 @ 1:24pm

    Laptop blues

    I dont think that it is at all preposterous that people have emotions for their computers. I know, when my laptop crashed, I was really out of it. HTe emotion stems from the personal data, friends met, and uniqe customization of their computers. I work on my laptop every day, it is as much a part of me as my glasses.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Bastard Sammy, 24 Feb 2004 @ 2:46pm

      Re: Laptop blues

      I would have to agree. I'm on my computer at least twelve hours a day. It's replaced things like my briefcase, and note book. I even have a compaq ipaq I carry around when I'm not around the big computer.
      My wife, my kids, all use the machine. But it's not that we love the computer so much as we love what it enables us to do. It's simple really. Why not have a survey asking how much people love their shoes and socks? I think the numbers on that would scare you.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        thecaptain, 25 Feb 2004 @ 7:26am

        Re: Laptop blues

        I also agree. Without my laptop, I am completely lost. I have a desktop and my wife has a laptop so its not that PCs are lacking...

        Its just that its mine, I spend time working with it, working ON it to make it work just right...its a bit like a home.

        You decorate a home to make it livable, comfortable and inviting and you spend time there so you are attached to it...my laptop is the same.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Anonymous Coward, 25 Feb 2004 @ 10:13am

          Re: Laptop blues



          dorpus loves his vibrator too, but I think even he could deal without having it with him all the time.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Adrian Anders, 25 Feb 2004 @ 3:22pm

    Is an emotional attachment to one's car irrational

    After all, for us in the Modding/Mini-ITX/barebones DIY computing community, we put alot of love and effort into making our computers wholly an expression of ourselves, inside and out. Much in the same way as a car lover customizes both the exterior and interior of his prized sports car. Personally, I don't see my computer as a "friend" as in the same way as I see a human, but it is my baby, and a source of real pride.

    ATA

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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