Living for $7 Figurines-#9

It seems like these days everyone uses the internet, so diagnosing Problematic Internet Use (PIU) would appear to be a much more difficult task than in the past. This proves to be the case for many of us who perform daily tasks through our use of the internet, but then there are those who are more or less hindered by the accessibility of the internet and what it can bring to you with one click of the mouse. I find that PIU, defined as problematic behavior related to too much time online, can be associated with the wonders of eBay.

Wallace devoted one section of chapter 9 discussing the online auction that has allowed for many small businesses to reach shoppers around the world and has served as "the largest flea market in the history of the planet" (Wallace p.177). eBay may indeed become addictive for those who like to be thrifty and cannot pass up a chance to collect some rare antique on the other side of the world. This case holds true for a particular engineer on our very own campus who is obsessed with eBay. Rather, he is obsessed with purchasing little $7 figurines, which are only made available in Asia, off of eBay. His collection has grown quite large and his appetite is insatiable, for he is constantly scouring the pages of eBay looking for the next available figurine. Friends who have classes with him comment on it often, such as at lunch yesterday. One friend remarked "(Blank) is obsessed with those figurines. Sometimes I'll look over on his computer screen during class and you will see these little figurines on his screen because he's on eBay." The discussion furthered to emphasize that he probably would not have such an obsession if it wasn't so easy for him to purchase these figurines through eBay.

Has this engineer reached a point diagnosable of problematic internet use? I would say not quite since his friends do not seem too concerned about his little obsession and he seems to still value himself as a part of Cornell society. However, he may be working on two of the four dimensions in Davis et al. PIU study. The two relevant dimensions include diminshed impulse control and distraction/procastination. In our engineer's case, he seems to slowly be creeping towards both of these dimensions since he is slowly losing all control over the amount of time he spends on eBay and cannot control his desire to bid on/purchase these figurines. In addition, it has become a distraction for him, as evidenced by the fact that he will scour eBay for his figurines over paying attention in his engineering classes.

Since I do not know this engineer personally, I cannot say that Caplan's Theory may be applied to his case. His friends, however, do not express too much concern over his need for these figurines. His grades are being maintained and he is still an active participant in society. He is also very social, so it would be safe to say that his use of the internet is not due to psychosocial problems or more positive feelings towards the internet space over real space.

This particular space, use of eBay as a time sink, gives more credit to the affordances and features of the internet over individual psychological differences. In our engineer's case, he would not otherwise be able to purchase these figurines if it were not for eBay connecting him to markets overseas. This proves that the internet is feeding his obsession due to its accessibility, anonymity (Maybe he'd be a little more embarrassed if he had to purchase in person. He is a senior in college afterall), ease of purchase and cheap prices. In a broader scope, the over excessive use of eBay could apply to any person who finds that the online auction is a fascinating place to find anything you want. The power that could be felt from winning the highest bid could be addictive for some, or the mere ability to own things at a click of a button could keep many spending more time online browsing than interacting with others.

http://comm245purple.blogspot.com/2007/11/assignment-9-picking-up-girls-online.html
http://comm245purple.blogspot.com/2007/11/9-i-swear-this-is-last-video-i-click-on.html