Hey, after todays Irc discussion...
Let's talk about Hikikomoris (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hikikomori) and Introverts~ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Introversion)
It's not like Emos for those that wish to argue that...
A cute anime for this is NHK...
The Hikikomori syndrome has been blamed over and over in controversial cases when outside (mostly internet) influences are detected... So as an online community do we discourage this or encourage our members to spend 24/7 devoted? It really is about what people choose right? but is it a false happiness...?
Introversion is a more popular term in the US, but it's taken much more lightly. As seen in the recent case of Jet Li's declaration as an introvert for publicity.

Is it a problem increasing due to the rise of computer? Is it inherent (if that were the case, wouldn't shut ins die out due to lack of reproduction)? or is it due to traumatic experiences in the lives of individuals... Is there a reason to even blame anything? I don't know... I'm still undecided on this. So... Someone help convince me. And show me where to draw the line.

Difference from Emos (stereotype wise~)
1.Not as much masochism...
2.Subjects are mostly isolated due to inability to interact, or fear... not out of disdain...
3.Their outer appearance is determined by the individual and there is no "look". Though they do have an image of lower standards in some areas -.-;
4.They still contribute to mainstream economics dealing in corporations and such... just not physically.
5.It is a condition that can be claimed as an excuse for certain actions... (you can't claim to be emo and use it as an excuse to hurt people)
6.Hikikomoris are more against physical contact... so net relations are more stressed.

I prefer the word hermit, but I suppose there are suttle differences.
I'll admit it, I dislike leaving my house for anything. I can't give a straight answer because I see it as being who I am and the simple life I chose. I suppose a few of the reasons I chose this life are having all of my old friends becoming druggies (so I ditched them), When I became diabetic aged 7 my entire class literally ran away shouting "deseased deseased." I simple se it as children being children so Meh to it. I live in a cul de sac (aka avenue) so my life is slightly secluded anyway. I spent most of my childhood playing a with a girl a year below myself.

The reasons for being here though are more simple. It's somthing to do, you can be more free to express yourself, instant answers, many new people each day and it's only the cost of the internet you purchase.

You mention devotion to the site but i'd never take a bullet or even hand over a little cash to see a website survive, unlike if it were a human. I think people stick to just a few sites because it's easy to keep up and get involved in the community and a common saying i'v heard thoughout my life is "stick to what you know."

I'm considered more of an introvert than hikikomori right now, but I was at one time a hikikomori -- though at the time I didn't know of the word. What I believe caused it in me was a slight disjunction from my peers. I was seeing things differently from them, and looking at things differently. Speaking oddly. Doing what most did not. That, in turn, resulted in ridicule and harassment. Eventually, I got to the point where I didn't speak my thoughts.

Conversations became pointless to have. Even though there were some that would listen to me, those few were far outweighed with those that would not, and they would just cut it down or change it. My mindset corrupted that to "no one" would listen. So I became quiet.

In turn with being quiet, I moved away from all things social; including family affairs. I became secluded to my house. Mind you, I never got to the point where I could not go outside or not being able to go to work; but I found discomfort in doing so, and avoided them as much as possible. And I ended up on the net and that's been a plethora of fun.

I'm slowly trying to be social again, as I know it *is* a requirement for living, and I've been successful thus far.


I wouldn't blame it solely on the internet, though the internet does have a great deal of influence on this. I'd say it has more of an outlook on how your peers treat you.

Hikikomori is just the negative feedback loop of lacking real-life social skills.
Introverts, if not a result of lacking social skills, genuinely enjoys relatively less social activities more.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/ZeroIchigo/d9c4b64086451bf67c3047ee26913f7b188.gif
Misaki-chan~

True. I love my lazy and peaceful life.

ahhh yes. the benefits of the hikikomori

I don't think that the computer is actually causing a rise, but is making those that are introverted/hikikomoris/etc. more well known. Weird wording I know. What I mean is that introverts (I'm speaking more to introverts than the other) have always existed. I'm introverted, my brother is introverted, and my dad is the most out of all of us. We've always existed, but because of more solitary activities, the personality is becoming more noticable. I know plenty of people who would rather go to a movie and scocialize than sit on the computer playing WoW.