Comments on: Stumble Rocks Presentation

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Wed, 25 Mar 2009 13:18:08 +0000

[...] greatest social media traffic source, referring over 175,000 hits on one post alone. My good friend Tim Nash gave a great talk on Stumbleupon a year or so ago and ascertained some useful facts about the [...]

By: Tim Nash

Tim Nash — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:32:40 +0000

An addicition is a chemical reaction within the human body the reaction can be caused through external stimulants (alchol, cigarettes) but the human brain is perfectly capable of causing the reaction. Indeed we have to have the ability to control the chemical levels within the brain as in this case the chemicals are related to the way humans store and retrieve information in effect addicition is a side effect to our storage mechanism without some level of addictiion we would be unable to achieve repetition of tasks with any great success.

What is interesting is that we have evolved a pain/reward mechansim this mechanism is what causes cravings, in most people these are nothing more then a desire to click a stumble button or put their hand through their hair (releasing endorphins) its only when these cravings go beyond or can’t be stopped do we have problems.

Their is a lot of research linking Addicition, OCD and several other brain related issues to the same chemical group, but its really important to remember regardless of the physical causes you can think yourself into addicition and in many ways these are harder to deal with then an external addicition.

By: Jack Hughes

Jack Hughes — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:23:09 +0000

@Kimberly – in order to be addicted to something does the subject of the addiction have to have some kind of physiological effect from the addictive behaviour? Or, can addiction be learned without any physical effects?

By: Kimberly Bock

Kimberly Bock — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:58:28 +0000

You know your business and I’m not arguing or anything, I have an observation to add.

“In this case many of those questioned KNEW that under the definition of addiction it would be more or less impossible to be “addicted”..”

A misperception actually. In fact, that’s one of the biggest problems with many so called ‘normal’ people. We have a tendency to believe that the word addiction applies to drugs, alcohol, and maybe cake. but addiction is not the subject of abuse, it’s in behaviors. Using drugs, for example, is a ‘symptom’ of addiction. It doesnt ‘equal’ addiction. Like gambling. It only becomes an addiction for someone who cant get enough of it. Internet is addictive. Literally. Sex is addictive. Literally. Stumbleupon is addictive, literally.

This is a huge reason we have many uncontrollable problems and relationship issues, and greedy big corp (im pretty much anti co) shoving $ in their pocket at our expense. They know we are a globe of people in denial and they play it to a ‘t’ shoving these things into our noses. They know we will not call it a problem, much less an addiction.

I think there are many people that would answer yes to ‘are you addicted to SU’, because they know it will be giggled with, and attention will be given. People, sadly, in large numbers, enjoy Meisms and attention. Even if their wives are asking them when do they plan to go to bed, they are trying to get in 1 more Tweet, 1 more Stumble, 1 more blah blah..Once again, they are not disputed by fellow net junkies and they find even more time seeking that condolence while he thinks the wife is a nag who just doesnt understand.

When asked ‘is SU addictive, it sounds more serious. Serious excludes denial from the picture, leaving people to ask themselves without the Ha Ha. That may explain the 2% drop. Those 2% saw it as serious and laughed it off saying ‘nah, hahaha, not ME’ the rest of them pondered it a sec and turned it back into a typical addict snicker and a good ‘hell yeah!’

I’ve studied the minds of addicts for years. AS 1 and in many lengthy terms in rehabs, before finally getting clean. They teach the psychology behind addiction, in order to break cycles of addictive thinking and behaviors. I’ve seen people addicted to stalking for heaven sakes. Can you believe that? Too weird, but true.

Man I talk too much. Maybe that’s my addiction? haha..

By: Tim Nash

Tim Nash — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 08:23:12 +0000

Overall perception vs personal perception can tell you a lot about not only a persons view on the subject but how they see themselves within the social group.
In this case many of those questioned knew that under the definition of addicition it would be more or less impossible to be “addicted” and therefore the majority of users would not be addicited. Yet when asked to consider their own behaviour so looking inwards rather then outwards their understanding of the question itself almost changes.

By: Kimberly Bock

Kimberly Bock — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 04:41:06 +0000

Isn’t the human brain bizarre sometimes? 89% for “Is Stumbleupon addictive” & 2% more for “Are you addicted to Stumbleupon” .. Does this mean that people have learned to enjoy calling themselves addicts? hmmm, just say, “No” ..

Ahh, the marketing tool of the Gods – Manipulative words and the right assessment/analytics of targeted markets.

This was fun and informative Tim. Thanks. I’m STUMBLING IT. lol

By: Tim Nash

Tim Nash — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:47:45 +0000

I was probably the first person to rsvp about a minute after the first email but yes I’m coming

By: Josie Sawers

Josie Sawers — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:42:58 +0000

Hi Tim

Been trying to contact you (without success!) to confirm your places at BarCamp Sheffield. Can you let me know by 3PM today latest whether you will be attending.

Many thanks!

By: Tim Nash

Tim Nash — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 22:07:07 +0000

Thanks Jack hopefully see you next month

By: Jack Hughes

Jack Hughes — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 17:24:11 +0000

Thanks for the talk Tim I really enjoyed it.