Internet Camp Email

[walls of cetepedes]

If you haven't heard of this place, I suggest you read up on it, because I do not wish to go into detail:

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/7.132451?page=1

I am prepared to write an email to these people, and would like to know whether any of you have anything that you feel should be said. Here is what me and NeonBob have so far:

Spoiler: Here

"I have to applaud you on your excellent niche filling. Finding a non-existent problem, and tagging it as an 'addiction', fooling people with money to spend an extraordinary amount to 'cure' their children.

A programme like this would only make parents less responsible for their children, by putting them in the hands of you people rather than taking an active role in the child's well-being.

On top of removing a vital part of a child's life from being involved in proper upbringing, chances are quite good that a child who spends lots of time online comes from a family with that same habit, who likely share our views of this "problem" being imaginary.

The people you are likely to get are the ones with technophobic parents, parents who look for flaws and interpret any they see to be glaring cracks in their offspring's character.

Lastly, you are asking for quite the exorbitant amount for parents to send their kids off to an untested facility and program, where they may not be heard from for a decent amount of time."

Now, this should not be a flaming ball of hate wrapped in dead kittens, so please try to keep your contribution civil.

Post what you would like to see added, and also anything that needs changing.

 

[El Poncho]

People who are addicted to games do not have the kind of money since they have either- Spent all there money on games or playing the game so much they have lost there job.

 

[The Infamous Scamola]

Well, I can't say that I agree with you that much here. There is such a thing as playing too many games, and spending too much time online.

Just sayin'.

 

[The Great Zegrool]

They are only doing what has been done for eternity: find a nonexistent problem, make a "solution", and watch the cash flow in.

It's simple really.

 

[Kriptonite]

I think that sums it up pretty much. I really am in a state similar to shock. I might have more to say later but, really? Wow, just when you think you can stand the world. Oh by the way, I CAN quit anytime I want...

 

[cas]

Whether or not their camp sucks you can't deny such things as internet and video game addiction exist

 

[Katherine Kerensky]

They have such a shining example to live up to, what with the chinese going as far as killing a prisoner patient.

 

[Sampler]

Hey - I'm thinking of opening a UK based one, could do with some cash

And we get to kill people you say, where do I sign..

 

[Neonbob]

Looking at their website, I realize I have shoved my foot firmly into my mouth when it comes to some things.
Apparently, they are focused on adults, not children.
This does not mean I am withdrawing my objection to the idea.
The activities described on their site are basically what you'd get with a big family camping trip. G4's Steven Johnson's article
Outdoor events and other stuff that probably happened with parents long ago seem to be a big focus of the treatment plan.
There's also some kind of 12-step program.
I may be quite biased, but that just sounds ridiculous to me.

The only redeeming tidbit I found on their page was that "Cosette Rae, MSW, was a web designer and programmer before becoming a psychotherapist. She has been at the forefront of developments in computers and the internet, and brings this understanding to her work with cyber addicted individuals."

With all that in mind, I would like to amend the email to the following.

"I have to applaud you on your excellent niche filling. Finding a non-existent problem, and tagging it as an 'addiction', fooling people with money to spend an extraordinary amount to 'cure' themselves.

A programme like this would only cause people to claim addiction when a mood hits them, and possibly seek compensation of some sort for their troubles while they underwent treatment.
Not to mention the fact that the insurance companies will laugh someone out the door if they try to claim treatment as a covered area.

The people you are likely to get are the ones with a mindset that they are victims of something beyond their control. For drug abuse, this is somewhat acceptable, as there are physical consequences for them stopping after a long time. For internet use, however, there are no such issues. In that respect, it is not so much an addiction as it is a lack of self control and time regulation. Perhaps if you didn't herald the facility as an addiction camp, I would not have had so much of a problem.

Lastly, you are asking for quite an exorbitant amount for people to ship out to an untested facility and program, where they may not be heard from for 45 days. And again, if this was for a hard addiction such as noted before, this would not be such a big deal. But, since it is hardly something out of an individual's control, it is hard to imagine the justification for the price tag."

 

[The Great Zegrool]

They are only doing it for publicity. Once enough people know about it, they are going to say "supported by -insert celebrity here-, and even if it's bad publicity, it's still publicity.

It would be great if we stopped giving them so much media (not that the op is, because I agree).

 

[Nimbus]

Try to keep it less about why it wouldn't work and more about why they are fucking stupid, otherwise they'll be able to bullshit you off with a politician's response.

 

[walls of cetepedes]

Right, I'm going with NeonBob's proposed email.
I shall send it tomorrow, and put their response here. (If I get one.)

 

[Sightless Wisdom]

I'm past caring about the worlds stupidity. It does it's thing and I do mine. Unless something interferes with me, I ddon't bother it.

 

[Zedzero]

They are only doing what has been done for eternity: find a nonexistent problem, make a "solution", and watch the cash flow in.

It's simple really.

Like how all of America is fighting free healthcare, comparing it to the Nazi's "Final Solution" it fucking absurd.