"But wow is the one place in the whole world that hasn't been ruined for me."

Not a therapist or anything, but that's a pretty strong statement. Without trolling, you may really want to look into expanding your world or talking to someone about that before your favorite class gets nerfed.

On the other hand, seeing as there are people rating this up already, this also gives me insight into the people who go absolutely bonkers on the forums when said nerfs come along.

The world hasn't ruined.... yet. *whispers* Deathwing's coming

*EVIL ECHOING LAUGHTER (of the Whale)*

that's almost 2 jokes in one. I'm stretching it.

CNN, Fox News, etc exist to make money through selling advertising access to captive audiences. They engage in the same tactics of exxageration and controversy that games use to hook and retain an audience. I could list adults that are just as "addicted" to commercial news as gamers are to WoW, and they are equally nonproductive pastimes.

It's not addiction, it is the engrossing nature of human interaction and expression seen from the perspective of New Media, for which our society still lacks the appropriate terminology to describe.

When these New Media become entangled with mental health concerns, they are not new or more dangerous, but only familiar problems in unfamiliar form.

@cwallis

I understand that perspective and I agree with it for the most part. To be fair though by definition, you can indeed be addicted to anything. I think that's one of Jayce's points. Anything that you use towards your own escapism for whatever reason.

C'mon guys, just because they use the word "addiction" doesn't mean we're all young Whitney and Bobbies...

Definition:
a.The condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or or involved in something.

I'm almost addicted to WoW.com. I haven't played WoW since September and yet the first thing I do, impulsively and sometimes compulsively, go straight to the site. I could be intending to go to amazon but nope... I come here. I can't avoid coming to WoW.com at least once when I have the browser open. I almost have to. I don't know why.

Is it the end of the world? Heck No man. (I just like being informed) However some addictions tend to be harmful to individuals or those nearby. When I start neglecting other responsibilities to satisfy an urge, that's easily an addiction. (Like the report that I need to produce right after the last few words.)

A habit can be formed with nearly anything and lead to an addiction.

I don't feel so strongly when classes get Nerfed or things don't go my exact planned way. i like playing this game because it provides a way for me to leave all of my problems behind momentarily, relax, and have a good time with out someone destroying everything.