I *have* sat and watched what happens to my loved ones over Everquest. I have 2 family members who have used it nearly all day long ever since the game came out. The difference is, my family knows that it's a game, and that it is their choice as adults to spend their free time doing as they wish.
Secondly, I, too, have had obsessive-compulsive problems with the internet. From the time I was 15 I've used irc (a chat program.) From the time I'd get home from school, to past midnight, I'd do nothing but chat. These weren't faceless people to me.. they were my friends. Far more friendly and interactive than kids I went to school with. Rural Wisconsin isn't the best place for nerdy kids. The internet is. I lost the desire to do anything, including eat, while on it. I didn't care about doing things with people I knew in person because, frankly, the internet was more interesting.
I slowly got away from the computer and went to college. There I was still a bit of an outcast and I really didn't get along with the rich girls I was at school with... sooo.. I turned to the internet again. The truth is, I really missed my family back home. I hated everything about college. I had a lot of expectations of people back home, graduating so high in my class. So, instead of running right back home, I stayed at college and emersed myself in chatting again. It helped me forget my problems. I got to the point of not going to a lecture here and there, then I eventually dropped a class. Then I only went to exams. Finally, I dropped out alltogether. Any person would think I was a total nut case. Am I? No. The truth is, the internet made me happy. It still does! It makes thousands of people happy everyday. It's no different from the secretary who plays solitaire all day on her computer because she hates her job.
If you had read most of the other posts, you would have realized mine was quite tasteful. My point was that if the issue is big enough to sue over now, than it should maybe have been a bigger issue for you earlier. I *am* compassionate. Suicide is a terrible thing. I have experienced many of the same things Shawn has, and if evaluated by a psychologist, I'm sure I would've been diagnosed with similar problems.
Maybe you should take your own advise. Do not criticize me, as a child. I have lived in Shawn's shoes.
I graduated high school with Shawn from Osceola in 1998. He seemed like any other geek/nerd, myself included. I don't think anyone I went to school with, especially in such a small town, knew that Shawn had any of his diagnosed problems. From what I understand, most teenagers suffer depression, and many have internet addictions. I feel that if Shawn's mother knew of his many problems, and is atiment enough to sue over his game-related suicide, she should face herself for not having done more to prevent it. Quoted from the article, "Woolley knows her son had problems beyond EverQuest, and she tried to get him help by contacting a mental health program and trying to get him to live in a group home." There are things called interventions. I think that most people understand that a game is a game, including Shawn. If his mother knew it caused seizers in him, maybe she should've removed him from the situation, being it's such a huge issue to her now. I guess the big thing here is prevention. Shawn was diagnosed with unstable clinical problems, not due to a computer game. The internet is a place for geeks alike to feel welcome and accepted. I've expericed the same. Perhaps Everquest was the only escape and joy Shawn had from his problemed life.
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... what frightens me, is that they make cars, too.
I *have* sat and watched what happens to my loved ones over Everquest. I have 2 family members who have used it nearly all day long ever since the game came out. The difference is, my family knows that it's a game, and that it is their choice as adults to spend their free time doing as they wish.
Secondly, I, too, have had obsessive-compulsive problems with the internet. From the time I was 15 I've used irc (a chat program.) From the time I'd get home from school, to past midnight, I'd do nothing but chat. These weren't faceless people to me.. they were my friends. Far more friendly and interactive than kids I went to school with. Rural Wisconsin isn't the best place for nerdy kids. The internet is. I lost the desire to do anything, including eat, while on it. I didn't care about doing things with people I knew in person because, frankly, the internet was more interesting.
I slowly got away from the computer and went to college. There I was still a bit of an outcast and I really didn't get along with the rich girls I was at school with... sooo.. I turned to the internet again. The truth is, I really missed my family back home. I hated everything about college. I had a lot of expectations of people back home, graduating so high in my class. So, instead of running right back home, I stayed at college and emersed myself in chatting again. It helped me forget my problems. I got to the point of not going to a lecture here and there, then I eventually dropped a class. Then I only went to exams. Finally, I dropped out alltogether. Any person would think I was a total nut case. Am I? No. The truth is, the internet made me happy. It still does! It makes thousands of people happy everyday. It's no different from the secretary who plays solitaire all day on her computer because she hates her job.
If you had read most of the other posts, you would have realized mine was quite tasteful. My point was that if the issue is big enough to sue over now, than it should maybe have been a bigger issue for you earlier. I *am* compassionate. Suicide is a terrible thing. I have experienced many of the same things Shawn has, and if evaluated by a psychologist, I'm sure I would've been diagnosed with similar problems.
Maybe you should take your own advise. Do not criticize me, as a child. I have lived in Shawn's shoes.
I graduated high school with Shawn from Osceola in 1998. He seemed like any other geek/nerd, myself included. I don't think anyone I went to school with, especially in such a small town, knew that Shawn had any of his diagnosed problems. From what I understand, most teenagers suffer depression, and many have internet addictions. I feel that if Shawn's mother knew of his many problems, and is atiment enough to sue over his game-related suicide, she should face herself for not having done more to prevent it. Quoted from the article, "Woolley knows her son had problems beyond EverQuest, and she tried to get him help by contacting a mental health program and trying to get him to live in a group home." There are things called interventions. I think that most people understand that a game is a game, including Shawn. If his mother knew it caused seizers in him, maybe she should've removed him from the situation, being it's such a huge issue to her now. I guess the big thing here is prevention. Shawn was diagnosed with unstable clinical problems, not due to a computer game. The internet is a place for geeks alike to feel welcome and accepted. I've expericed the same. Perhaps Everquest was the only escape and joy Shawn had from his problemed life.