guilty pleasures

Sometimes, it seems, that people look down on, "spending time on the computer." Im not sure if it's because it's not an aerobic exercise and therefore seems to be a lazy thing to do. Or, maybe people associate the internet with bad things, such as porn or chat rooms or violent role play games, and that is why they have a negative view of it.

I prefer to spend my "down time" on the internet...rather than watching some mindless tv show, Id prefer to come online and be more interactive; whether just looking up interesting things that I have always wondered about, or reading the news, or browsing through blogs, or writing my own, I just enjoy having the endless options that are available on the computer.

I have wondered, if people would be as critical of someone sitting around reading encyclopedias, or taking an art class, or writing a short story. I think not. I think that for some reason, people just consider spending time on the internet less creative, less intellectually stimulating, but I think they are wrong.

The other day, I was listening to Leo LePort on the radio. He has a talk show about "tech things"....not really my favorite show, but talk radio is limited on the weekends. In any case, he was talking about this very subject, and said he would much prefer his teen boys be on the internet, rather than playing video games.

He talked about the creative projects, from graphics to photoshop, music production to web development that they have been able to to learn from their time on the computer. It was great to hear his perspective, and to have someone publically acknowledge the positive things that one can do online.

He encouraged people to call in and talk about the creative outlets that they have fostered on the computer.....writing blogs, reading blogs, even playing puzzles....all are valuable in my eyes.

What do you think? Do you think people look down on "computer time"....What worthwhile things do you like to do on the computer? Id like to know.