It looks like those 12-step programs aren't springing up soon enough. Over at Slashdot, a reader who perhaps got the wrong address for Ann Landers writes:

"A friend of mine has had what many of us (his peers) are starting to consider a serious problem that we are becoming very worried about. He is addicted to World of Warcraft, and not in the same way the rest of us are. While most of us are able to disconnect from the game to take care of our own affairs, he plays to the exclusion of his friends, his job (he calls in sick a lot, it is starting to get noticed) and his life. How do you help someone who is actively throwing their whole life away to play a game?"

Good question. Heck if I know the answer, but you can see what some other players have offered in the way of advice by reading the full article here.

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Virtual selves, Odds and ends, News items