I discovered Daily Kos sometime last summer. I didn't join until recently, but was a passionate lurker, reading many of the diaries, scrolling down through the comments, smiling or scowling as I went. Now I comment when I feel like it, but I have to say....
...I am Impygirl and I am an addict.
I am addicted to Daily Kos. I log on several times a day (most days of the week), and read the front page stories, scan the diaries, reading what is interesting, and commenting if I am in the mood or have something new to offer. I like to rec comments that I find clever, instructive or insightful, and I rec diaries that are relevant and interesting.
But the real problem is I cannot put Daily Kos down. I need to write. I need to work at my computer (at home), and whenever my brain gets stuck or I am struggling to finish a chapter I just log onto to Daily Kos. Typical escapism. Huff Po was my gateway drug, but Daily Kos is the real thing.
Is it willpower or a disease?
During the primaries and the general election it was understandable. Most people I knew were seeking political affirmation through like-minded blogs or going up against the devil by reading No Quarter or Greta Van Sustern. It was a heady time, and by no means was I alone in my procrastination and my obsession with Obama-news.
Once Obama won the election I tried, but I couldn't just put down my habit. IT'S NOT THAT EASY! I struggled. I tried to branch out by visiting other sites, by reading and exercising more. At one point, I was able to put down Daily Kos for almost one week! This was exhilarating and a real milestone for me. It felt like a fog had been lifted. Now, to be perfectly honest, the reason I didn't log on for a week was because of a severe ice storm here that left me without any power for 6 days, but NONETHELESS, I made it through that time without Meteor Blades, BIPM, Miss Laura, Kagro, Hunter, DHinMI, Kos and all my favorite posters and diary writers. I was convinced that a brand new year of discipline and hard work was ahead of me.
It didn't take long for me to start sliding down that slippery slope toward relapse, however. I think the problem began again when I told myself that I can CONTROL my Daily Kos use. I would log on in the morning, read, and then work, and then log on after 2pm, spend time with my children (who get home around 3), and maybe check in with you all once more before bedtime. Three times a day seemed reasonable. Surely that was a MANAGEABLE amount of time to spend with the Kos community?
The slide started the week before the Inauguration. It was exciting to see who Obama was appointing and what was being said about the outgoing administration so I became distracted from my writing, logged onto DK frequently, and soon it became clear that I had relapsed. I berated myself for my complete lack of self-control. Why on earth could I not control my usage?!
Naturally, it's because my brain craves it. I find the front page stories well-researched and relevant, and the diaries varied, humorous, infuriating, informative and sometimes awe-inspiring. It never ceases to amaze me how many excellent writers there are out "there" (and how many passionate people who could give a damn about spelling or punctuation).
As I become more familiar with the site I start to look for particular posters' names in diaries or comments, knowing they will have something interesting or amusing to say. But my real compulsion becomes clear when I comment. Then I have to check back several times to see if anyone has replied or rec'ed me.
This is my sickness and I own up to it. Those that want to "label" me a news junkie are wrong. I have very refined tastes. I read the NYT when it gets to my house in the AM and then Daily Kos. (Okay, I admit to a little web browsing, but don't we all?)
Am I the only one who is letting Daily Kos get in the way of productive work?