The Internet is a Blessing...and a Curse

Being laid off frees up your day considerably. Sure, a lot of that time presumably goes towards looking for a new job. But I also had delusions of getting fit, writing a book, and learning a new language. Did any of those things happen before I found my next job... or ever? No, and I shall blame it on the internet! Today's Wall Street Journal backs me up:

"As Americans -- grappling with layoffs and grim economic news -- try to find ways to fill their time, the Internet is helping people with job searches. But the medium is performing another important role: a social anesthesia that distracts people from the stress of unemployment. Internet games, gambling and other forms of online entertainment have seen significant surges in use in the several months since the economic downturn deepened. Social-networking services like Facebook, blogs and discussion forums -- all well-known time sinks even during good times -- are also seeing strong growth. Some purveyors of online entertainment say business has never been so good for them."

Whenever I logged on to check out the latest on Vault, or Craigslist, or other job search sites, I invariably got sucked into following articles, discussion boards, and YouTube links across the World Wide Web into a vortex of time suck. True, when you don't have a whole lot of money to go out and meet up with friends for dinner or drinks, the internet is a cheap way to keep yourself occupied and feeling connected. But I can't help but lament all of those hours I could have poured into something more tangible.

So what's your story? How much time do you spend online? And is there anything you thought you'd be doing with your free time that you're not? Comment away...

--Posted by Linda Petock, Vault News & Commentary