Depression: an obstacle to learning LO11000

Benjamin B. Compton (bcompton@geocities.com)
Thu, 14 Nov 1996 22:45:32 -0700

Replying to LO10975 --

Perhaps a little humor for a very serious thread. . .

Last night on the news they did a special on the number of people who are
on leave because of emotional stress. At the same time they found a few
companies who didn't have very many people "stressed out." One of them was
Cigna healthcare. Interestinly, Cigna allows their employees to engage in
rather bizzare behavior during their workday. Squirt gun wars, and other
activities are common.

In my department we play computer games over the network. Duke Nukem and
Monster Truck Madness are among our favorites. We conference each player
on the phone, and then play against each other on the network (all after
hours, of course).

It gets noisy, it gets crazy, and its absolutely wonderful! One night a
bunch of guys came in at 10:00 pm and coaxed me into a game of Duke Nukem.
The next thing I knew it was 4:00 a.m. My wife wasn't very pleased when I
came home.

Game playing has helped build unity, and for some it has increased their
technical competence (those who struggle to get the software installed and
configured for the network). But, at the same time, it will ruin your
intellectual, spiritual, and physical life. It is all consuming.

Now I avoid game playing after hours by closing and locking my office
door, logging out of my phone, and turning off all network broadcasts.

It's to the point where I have sneak out of my office to go to the
bathroom or the break room. If someone sees me (or my office door open),
they'll coax me into a game. . .and the next thing I know I'll be firing
missles, shooting machine guns, and blowing up my colleagues. . .and
relishing every moment!

Yes, sometimes we need to find a way to release our stress. And many new
computer games provide just such a release. If you haven't tried playing
Duke Nukem, I highly recommend it. Just be weary. . .its a nasty meme that
will destroy your life!

Mmmm. . .now I'm hungry for a game of Duke Nukem. . .see what you've done
to me? I can hear them screaming outside my office. Now I'm depressed. . .

So much for anymore postings tonight!

-- 
Ben Compton
The Accidental Learning Group                  Work: (801) 222-6178
Improving Business through Science and Art     bcompton@geocities.com
http://www.e-ad.com/ben/BEN.HTM
 

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