I will so readily admit that I have an addictive personality. It is one reason I have never taken up smoking, tried illegal drugs, alcohol and such. TT definitely became an issue for awhile and my ex spoke to me about it (while we were together) and I cut back.

I played a LOT over the summer because I had finished one semester and was waiting for the fall semester to begin, could NOT find a job for the life of me (that was frustrating) and was bored out of my skull. Since my kids live with their Daddy, I had no one around during the day that required my attention. The summer weather in TN was just too hot for me, so getting out to try to meet new people was tough. I would have much preferred having RL connections.

Fast forward to the present and gosh, I can't remember the last time I did a boss battle or much of anything! I think I brought Loopy on on Labor Day, did a middle 6 and logged out - the most I've done on TT in a month! At this point school has started, I'm working 35 hours a week and have a SO to connect with in the evenings.

I have no way to connect to TT or TTF during work since we're not allowed to log into websites that don't relate to school or schoolwork (I am a student worker at my university), so while I miss my TT pals I am thrilled to have RL connections now.

** Takes reputation in hand and warily approaches with soap box, places it, and steps up...***

From Amanda Tori Oinker...
"I'd like to post in regards to Doctor Goopy's reply because I feel like the OP's original intent was misconstrued in the response..."

I'm honored that you would take me to task, thanks. No, really... too many won't express themselves, and it's to your credit that you do.

That said, I'd say the the general text of the OP mentioned discussing the various ways of looking at the issue. Let's not restrict the definition of "Open Debate". As stated there, the author mentions people with the appearance of being too ill to do anything else. I know people who play who are in exactly in that shape. The issue of "lots of maxed toons" plays into how certain accounts come to be full of high-laff "successful toons. In each of these cases, I stand by my post. As to the rest, it may be taken as rhetoric, reflection, or applicable logic, as each reader may decide for themselves.

*** Steps down from, and takes, the soap box, turns, and leaves quietly through the wings...***

Note to our most excellent Mods, who maintain order and peace at all times:

I do understand that the term "addiction" does not only pertain to drugs. My point is that, yes, while there are people that are MORE prone to addictions (of any kind) that does not mean that a regular, healthy functioning person cannot fall prey to being sucked into an addiction. Especially if it is masked in a seemingly innocuous cartoon package, such as TT. So I cannot just categorize that if it were not TT it would be something else.
I don't feel I was "taking anyone to task" on here, only trying to keep from being misunderstood. I understand what open debate means and would not try to restrict anyone from stating their point of view but unless you're debating the actual topic that was introduced the debate is not really going to be meaningful. Debate also means I don't have to agree with any, or, all of the points introduced, that would be where the debating part comes into play. We try to explain our logic and present a compelling case for it. I don't feel anything was misconstrued maliciously on either my part or Doctor Goopy's part so I don't think anything as drastic as our reputations are at stake here. It's just a posting of our opinions and people will take them for whatever, if anything, they are worth to them.

Thank you for starting this debate!! Sometime's us people with addiction personalities get so into what they are doing it is good for somebody to remind us what is going on. I played TT about 3-4 years ago and gave it up because i let it take over my life. I wonder did i think i was stronger when i let my son talk me into getting an account again?? I want to take a break and stop playing so often but i have to admitt i might have to delete my TT account. I HAVE A PROBLEM

Want to break the addiction? Fill that time with something else! Spend time with family or start reading a great book, clean out that closet you've been meaning to, etc. Filling that time with something other than TT is what helped break me of the addiction.

I'd prefer not to pass judgement on others.
Easily said, hard to do.
Self esteem or self-worth is a pretty heavy subject.
Many dysfunctional behaviors probably stem from how we perceive ourselves and how important it is for us to manage the perception of others.

I don't pity, berate or judge harshly how much someone plays, what they accomplish or what they celebrate. I do worry when my freinds or I go overboard, play too much or let recreational gaming and on-line forums get the best of us.

So to answer the OP, if they were my friend, and I genuinely cared for them, I would try to express my concern. We all can benefit from a little compassion, grace or caring.

But then again, some consider it is good sport to put people down and critisize. There are folks who seem to thrive on being crass, rude or judgemental. I'd prefer to keep that out of this (i.e TTF) forum.

I think there is a wide divide between 'cyber friends' and real-life friends.
My real life friends, I am there to see and talk to them about how their whole life is. We visit in each other's homes and I can see if the house is falling down around them or not. I can gauge by their actions and facial expressions if they are happy or worried or whatever. I can be there to talk things over and encourage them to get help with problems, if it comes to that.

But, virtual friends - not so much. I see people that are playing x amount. But, I don't know what their homelife is like. They may share some, but I can't see the family (who knows? they could be making everything up!). I don't know how their job is going, what their grades are, or if they seem generally happy. So, I can't decide if the amount of hours they play is bad or good or whatever. So! You guys are on your own out there! Let's be careful out there