What does our Internet use say about us?

Question

In some ways, our collective Internet behaviour is very predictable. Take, for example, our fascination with celebrities. Whenever there is even a rumour of a celebrity sex tape (Paris Hilton), gruesome celebrity deaths (Steve Irwin) or compromising photos of the latest reality television micro-star (Antonella Barba), searches for that celebrity immediately eclipse all other critical issues of our times (the war in Iraq, world hunger, natural disasters, to name a few). This trend has been on the increase as the economy continues its downturn. What's behind our fascination with celebrity? Is it a form of distraction, or do we find comfort in the misfortune of (in)famous others?

Additional Details

Yahoo! Canada Answers Staff note: Bill Tancer is author of the book "Click -- What Millions of People do Online and Why it Matters."

One of the most surprising discoveries Bill made is that pornography is no longer the biggest attraction on the Internet. Find out what eclipsed it:
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/08091…

Find out more about Bill's research here:

http://savvyreader.typepad.com/my_weblog…

http://www.billtancer.com

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Why did Romans flock to the Colosseum? Have we really changed all that much? Sure, technology had advanced, but have we really matured as a species?

The internet provides free, unlimited access to all our most basic desires. The fascination with celebrates is just part and parcel with the whole human condition...everybody likes to see someone better than them worse off. That's why royal executions were the blockbusters of their days.

I would say it's both. The masses (of which I am a part) need their distractions, and everyone finds comfort in the misfortune of others, ESPECIALLY when they are Hollywood people. They have everything we don't, but yet they suffer from the same folliables we do. An economic depression is when people need distraction the most, and "coincidentally", that's when we take the most pleasure in a rich persons suffering. How would you have us any other way? Then we wouldn't be us?

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

As this writer says, human foibles have remained constant over time; what's changed is the amount of info at our disposal. Our celebrity obsession increases as we live vicariously through by-the-minute blog updates and find pleasure in the misfortune of those we see as more fortunate than ourselves.

Answer 2

It says I like hockey, weather, watching funny videos on YouTube, and asking Q's and giving A's on this site.

Answer 3

I think a lot of people seek "refuge" by going on the internet and reading about the "exciting" lives of celebrity actors, singers, and so on, compared to what they may think of as their mundane, uneventful, boring lives.

Another possibility is that people may gain "amusement" from reading about the "outrageous" events occuring in the day-to-day lives of celebrities.

Source(s):

Personal Opinion.

Answer 4

I like to learn new things on the internet instead of picking up a newspaper because they have every story where i might just want one.

Answer 5

Whoa. Hold your assumptions there, cowboy. You sure said a mouthful, but whether or not it is substantial is an entirely different matter.

Sometimes when a celebrity faces a critical issue, it can drive the point home (think Christopher Reeve, Michael J Fox), and bring our attention to it (like Princess Diana and AIDS patients). Should a celebrity use their rare and considerable position to highlight a cause, it is admirable. Rarely is there ever delight in the misfortune of others (Jennifer Aniston, Britney Spears). Fascination, perhaps, but not delight.

I find the main use of Internet is keep in touch with loved ones who are a great distance away, and to challenge myself on a forum such as Yahoo Answers! Entertainment is mainly YouTube and perhaps an avatar change or two. I suppose it is not the most enlightening venue that the Internet is capable of, but it is a great deal more satisfying than celebrity voyeurism.

Sweeping generalizations about celebrity interest is negotiable. Just because publications are willing to pay top dollar for such tripe does not mean it is worth the space that it consumes in our media.

P.S. I've never seen the Paris Hilton video, so I guess I don't know what I am missing.

Answer 6

It is difficult to generalise to everyone based on what is the most popular site. Just as there are different programs/magazines in the media outlets (Big Brother attracts largely a different crowd from those that watch Nova). As people become more comfortable with the internet, it has become a social outlet, and information bank and community builder. Certainly many are interested in celebrity gossip (just as many are interested in the celebrity mag - that's why Hello! and People mags are popular). People also want to know the best deal on purchases through eBay or Amazon. The internet is also used for scholarly purposes - I regularly use Google Scholar.

In sum, people are curious, and inquiring minds want to know, but it is the content of WHAT we want to know that differs.

Answer 7

Mine says I love blogging and reading. And also that I prefer to read the news online rather than watch it on TV so I get all sides of any issues and events. I stay away from the celebrity and gossips sites. Since I dont watch TV, I am not up on who is the latest "in" person/crowd and who is not.

Answer 8

"Beauty takes bite out of perfection",

¶ Sometimes it's all about wording, then once you're interest is hooked, what lies ahead, is a role less raveled, in this mouse clicking realm, there's a battle staving for attention, some find its a must to seek refuge amongst world at arms length, a Twilight novel breaking grounds, your favorite song waiting in the Tube, the latest trend in a Technical field, Click! and you'll find everything abound once more,

Click . ▶ . http://www.billtancer.com/
________

⌘ omg! ~Celebrity news via Yahoo, . ▶ . http://omg.yahoo.com/
TroopSpace , (MySpace for troops) . ▶ . http://www.troopspace.net/
Facebook, (like MySpace social networks) . ▶ . http://www.facebook.com/
..

Answer 9

I was always aware of the misguided ambulance chaser or the twisted glee in others misfortune and tried to stay away from the things that would appeal to this reptilian reaction.

Food for the mind is not rooted in winner and loser, giver and taker, dominant and sub-dominant but as long as our primitive instincts are not held in check we are going to be enjoying and entertaining ourselves at others expense.

Answer 10

I can see where the statistical majority of users would find fascination with these subjects, but I also find that these same people tend not to happy with what life has thrown at them. These users tend to use the Internet as an escape, or a way of comparing themselves to others and saying, "I guess my life's not that bad. I don't have the same problem as so and so."
Having quickly skimmed the news story, it does not surprise me that social networking sites are the big hit now. Too many people are far too attached to the computer as a social life (and I can't count myself out there as I play online games, although not everyday, and not for hours at an end). What happened to going out and meeting people in real life? Oh yeah, rejection...it's a lot easier to "accept" form an impersonal computer. I can also act out in less than appropriate ways without being criticized. I can also be someone I want to be but don't have the courage to be in real life. This anonymity is a somewhat permeable wall that protects us. I am not sure if social networking is a good thing, or a bad thing yet. I guess only time will tell.
Social distraction on a more even landscape will make it easier and easier for people to escape. It used to be the TV, now it's the computer. Why? Because we have some form of interaction now. There may be a real person on the other end. We can live our fantasies with little to no repercussions. The more difficult the situation economically or socially, the more people will turn to the refuge of the computer. Let us hope for our sake that not everyone does so.

Answer 11

I have been on the Internet since 1993 and quite frankly I am bored with it. I surf news sites, get the weather, participate in Free-cycle (yahoo group) and email friends but that's it.

When I was completing my undergraduate degree in Administration I used the Internet a lot for research. It was a handy tool at 2am when no libraries were open in my time zone to be able to fact-check at the click of the mouse but now that I am no longer a student, I find the whole thing sort of boring.

It is not that I am a Luddite it is just that I fine the Internet so intrusive and a waste of time most of the time, I would rather read a book than a screen and be out of doors in nice weather rather than strapped to a keyboard telling everyone how nice it is outside.

Perhaps I am too simplistic for this life,? I do not own a cell phone - folks want to get a hold of me they can phone me at home or email, I do not own an iPOD - love music but find that nature offers her own sounds too which can be relaxing next to the din of so much noise.

I don't gamble on line (I buy the occasional lottery ticket by going to a real store and dealing with real people.), drink or smoke and I sing in the church choir.

That's my two cents.

Anctemple

Source(s):

My opinions.

Answer 12

We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee.

Marian Wright Edelman

Answer 13

I think its that we rely on the computer way too much.
Its not quite that were obsessed with celebrities its that a lot of times were bored and thrive on drama but the best and fastest way to get it is through the internet!
Considering we don't want to wait through the talk show to find out or we dont want to read the paper we just press a few buttons on the internet and poof done thats it we get what we want so its a convienence weve always been obsessive over celebrities the internet didnt make it worse it just made it more conveinent.
-Christina- (thirteen year old singer and publicist)

Answer 14

I think the Internet just reflects the obvious back at us. We have crime, we have arguments, we have hope and despair, we have laughs and contact with loved ones, we share knowledge and we judge. The only thing that is different is that we get to see it all from everyone as a bigger picture.

How we interpret that big picture is also says something about us. It may cause us to run in fear, it may outrage some, it may inspire others and may enlighten.

But no matter how you look at it, at the end of it all, its just a reflection of you and the world we live in.

Answer 15

people like to use message board, forums and talk to people they dont really know. they also like to talk **** and get away with it on the internet.

Answer 16

it says a lot thats what it says...


I walk into obsession
Makes the world go round
We're made up by the people we surround
So!
We live in times with **** we don't need
Well maybe, it's the price of envy

With these eyes I look out for me
But everyone fades away who don't see
Nothing's gonna change
Why!
We're going down in flames
So!
I'm not the one

Don't wait for me
Cause I won't just sit by
While you just bleed
Myself and others dry
Don't wait for me
To be there in the end
When you don't see
The truth you just pretend
Don't wait for me

What is the solution
We already know
There's no telling how far this could go
No!
You're near your time but you just don't see
Cause you're just
Part of this game

There's nothing you can do to save yourself
You leave your life in the hands of someone else
You'll never let it go
Why!
It's the only way you know
Know!
I'm not the one

Don't wait for me
Cause I won't just sit by
While you just bleed
Myself and others dry
Don't wait for me
To be there in the end
When you don't see
The truth you just pretend
Don't wait for me

When did we begin
To let ourselves give in
How'd it come to this
Miserable bliss

Just take the rest of
Just use the best of me
Just take the rest of
Just use the best of me

You take the rest of me
Just take the best of me
You take the rest of me
Just take the best

Don't wait for me
Cause I won't just sit by
While you just bleed
Myself and others dry
Don't wait for me
To be there in the end
When you don't see
The truth you just pretend
Don't wait for me

Answer 17

It says too much. I wish I would remember to erase the history.



I'll let you all jump to your own conclusions on that one.

Answer 18

I don't really search for celebrity gossip... much. If I see something on TV or look at a magazine cover while getting groceries and I'm curious, I'll go google and see what I can find. Sometimes I get a good laugh from it, most of the time I wonder how people with "so much" get get carried away and end up acting like fools.

Reading this made me think if the celebrities are as worried about the economic future as us less fortunate people. And maybe a part of me wants to see them lose some of their millions instead of middle class people losing their homes,jobs, and futures. But /shrug.. That's just me.

*Edit*

After re-reading this I realized I hadn't completely answered the question. I think our Internet use just shows who we really are. After going through my history I realized someone would find out a lot about me. For example, I'm a closet geek who loves to read, play video games, and cook. That's 3 things a lot of people don't know about me and it was only a click or two away. You'd know that I don't really chat online, but I send easily over 100 emails a day. It's an interesting thing to go back and look at.

Thanks for this question :) It made me think this morning.

Answer 19

My use is sporadic. It would lead me to think that I have a very short attention span and focus on nothing in particular. Least of all celebrities.

Answer 20

Some of the pull to celebrity watch comes from the medium of the internet itself. The pop-ups and the home pages that display the stories draw us in. The number of hits from others tells us that it MUST be important so we don't want to be out of the loop. There is also an escapism to it. Look at them, they are rich and famous but they are screwed up too, life isn't so bad in normalville!

I love the internet, particularly Facebook and email. I love the connections that they allows me to maintain. I also like the instantaneous news and I am far more aware of what is going on int he world because of it. I am trying to avoid the celebrity stuff because I doubt it's veracity and I do not want to encourage the Paparazzi but feeding into the system.

Answer 21

People would gather from my internet use that I am an out of work Christian interested in politics.

Answer 22

it says, people like to find things on their own, rather than being fed information.
with internet they can get what they want, when they want. It frees up your life to arrange your time better.
all from the comfort of your favorite chair.

I know a ton of people with no interest in celebrity at all.... Its just the same as it always was, largely hollywood hype/marketing to keep people interested in celebrities so they will go see their latest movie or buy their latest celeb branded item.

For people who are genuinely interested in celebrity, Its another form of escapism, like TV, books, Games or any form of entertainment... something you can talk about with friends, that takes your mind off current bad situation in your life or the world.

Why look at some dead innocent family blown up in iraq on the news, when you can look at Brad and Angelina's latest cute baby instead ?
Sad but true.

But you can't give just one reason why some people are fascinated with celebs.... for many people the reasons for liking something are all different.

Source(s):

life

Answer 23

If we are sensible, we use the internet as a useful tool. It is our outlet to the rest of the world. No question asked, remains unanswered.
Regretfully, there are some who use it for nefarious reason that could put many at risk. Overall, it is an excellent teacher and guide.
As an author, I would sometimes be lost without the internet. I have gained knowledge hitherto unknown to me.

Source(s):

Author

Answer 24

What the internet says about us, is how detached we've become from each other.

Answer 25

sad thing is that if we did not have computers many of us would not be able to live what they consider a "normal" life. I have moved 15 times in the last three years and I'm only 18 and i have no idea what i would do if i didn't have my computers so i can talk to my friends. I mean i know many people that would go positively insane if the couldn't go "online"

Answer 26

I think the internet makes people lazy. They cannot look up information in a book anymore. It is for some folks who live a shallow and pathetic life that they have to know what these useless 'celebrities' are up to. Also, they cannot even pick up a telephone anymore. E-mails or im. This technology will lead to our downfall.

Answer 27

In a world controlled and dominated by the bigger and better lookoing people... it gives everyoen the chance the flex the intellignce :-) and be jugded by that rather then there looks :-)

Answer 28

Face it we want stuff we can talk about to others or laugh about and craps always happening all around the world everyone has become numb to it or are sick or hearing about starving kids people dieing wars ect because it never stops

Answer 29

I couldn't give two hoots about celebrity. I hardly even know who most of them are. It baffles me what people see in these 'celebrities". They seem to have nothing interesting to say (unless you are interested in what lipstick they use etc)
What my internet use might say about me is that, amongst my other interests, I am sick and tired of racist attacks, and I wish it was recognized that what is happening IS racism, not "fair comment", and something was done about it . It is very hurtful to try and go on, year after year ignoring this stupidity. Even when you know it is stupidity it still hurts. I know people do it because they feel inadequate, but it isn't helping them either. If they tried appreciating people from the culture, they would begin to understand it and like themselves too!

Answer 30

I think our internet says that us as a society dont value interactions with each other as much. Facebook, emails, texting its all about getting a result not the joy of talking, sharing feeling and emotion.

Answer 31

i think it shows us that humans need information AND they want to stay connected to other people. as you discovered social sites are now on the top and this shows how people want to communicate and keep relationships alive whether it's your neighbour or somebody in another continent.

also people are very curious and i think they always want to learn new things, and the internet has provided them with an unlimited amout of information. so it's up to us to use this resource most efficiently.

hope this helps
jani