Yes because I do sometimes get so engrossed in a good show that I can't bring myself to turn it off even though I really should, so its kind of addictive in that sense.
BUT also no because unlike harmful forms of addictions this one has a natural way of killing the addiction which prevents it from being harmful- when I've watched the whole series of a show I can easily just walk completely away from it. Like there are some shows where I'll watch the whole series over the course of a week or so and am addicted to it during that time, but once I've seen them all my addiction instantly evaporates and I go about my life as normal. This makes it way different from alcohol, drugs, etc where the addiction can potentially go on indefinitely.
yes for SOME people. For the majority of us, I don't see a problem. I sometimes binge using my ipad at home while lifting weights in my bedroom so I try to do something positive while binging.
I enjoy watching two or three episodes of a favourite or much-loved series, but I'd grow bored if I binge watched them... I think it diminishes them somewhat. The wait for the next episode (like TV series used to be) was part of the excitement.
Can it be addictive? I suppose you can get addicted to anything: shopping, exercising, playing grabby machines... TV box sets I suppose are just another activity that can produce the right chemicals in your brain.
No, of course not. Then you had to declare everyone commuting everyday to workplace and doing there something for many hours, also as very problematic or addicted. And I guess in this very similar case you don’t have any such considerations or see a problem.
Depends on the person but I think in general, it's okay. There's nothing wrong with have a binge-fest every now and then and as long as you don't neglect your work, chores, schoolwork etc. you're grand. I usually do work, research for work, cook, or exercise while I'm bingeing a show or having a movie marathon - killing two birds with one stone if you will.
My wife has Korean and Chinese historical and present-day dramas on all day every day, switching from one channel to the next like chain smoking. As if she is watching every series offered. Sometimes I ask her to turn down the sound as it permeates the house. She doesn't understand the meaning of them, though she has an eye on the subtitles, and she can't tell the difference between Korean and Chinese dramas, because I've asked her. I guess she likes the situations, costumes and raw emotions...? It doesn't seem to do her any harm, except to reinforce traditional stereotypical values that maybe she had in her childhood. (?)
When she is away I have a free hand to tidy up the house as her housekeeping does seem to suffer.
No, not really addictive, but I found that continued exposure to violence, e.g. "Blacklist" is not that good for my mental state-of-health and can interfere with my sleep.
On the hand a well-written NZ mystery series called "Brokenwood Mysteries" with likable characters is easy to binge on with no bad side effects.
My wife has Korean and Chinese historical and present-day dramas on all day every day... When she is away I have a free hand to tidy up the house as her housekeeping does seem to suffer.
For me and my wife, binge watching means one or two episodes per night, for every night, until we've watched the whole series. Since most streaming or premium cable series are only 8-12 episodes per season, it doesn't take long to finish a season, without sucking up all of our time.
For instance, we started watching the original Justified series recently to prepare for the new "sequel" series. I had already seen all 5 seasons. But, it ended like 8 years ago. So, I wanted a refresher. And, she had never wanted to watch it back then, thinking it was a western. (It's not.)
She's glad I convinced her to watch it with me, as she's really enjoying it. And, I'm glad to be enjoying it again, this time with her, which is always more fun.
BTW, I recommend it for those who have enjoyed shows like Deadwood, Longmire, Ozark, etc
An episode or two a day is fine, but if you get sucked into a show for over 4 hours per day, it can have a very negative effect.
Life can start feeling incredibly dull by comparison, chores get skipped, procrastination sets in, there is less time to do anything productive, and on top of that you may start feeling guilty about that while craving more entertainment.
No - Not as long as you do everything that really needs to be done before you sit down and binge. Bottle of wine, some artisan cheese. Big screen/Surround sound, all set.
20 Comments
Login to comment
Toshihiro
It's ok to binge watch or do marathon watching of the shows you love, as long as you don't neglect your responsibilities. Discipline is key.
rainyday
Yes, but no.
Yes because I do sometimes get so engrossed in a good show that I can't bring myself to turn it off even though I really should, so its kind of addictive in that sense.
BUT also no because unlike harmful forms of addictions this one has a natural way of killing the addiction which prevents it from being harmful- when I've watched the whole series of a show I can easily just walk completely away from it. Like there are some shows where I'll watch the whole series over the course of a week or so and am addicted to it during that time, but once I've seen them all my addiction instantly evaporates and I go about my life as normal. This makes it way different from alcohol, drugs, etc where the addiction can potentially go on indefinitely.
Aly Rustom
yes for SOME people. For the majority of us, I don't see a problem. I sometimes binge using my ipad at home while lifting weights in my bedroom so I try to do something positive while binging.
Thunderbird2
I don't know to be honest.
I enjoy watching two or three episodes of a favourite or much-loved series, but I'd grow bored if I binge watched them... I think it diminishes them somewhat. The wait for the next episode (like TV series used to be) was part of the excitement.
Can it be addictive? I suppose you can get addicted to anything: shopping, exercising, playing grabby machines... TV box sets I suppose are just another activity that can produce the right chemicals in your brain.
Sven Asai
No, of course not. Then you had to declare everyone commuting everyday to workplace and doing there something for many hours, also as very problematic or addicted. And I guess in this very similar case you don’t have any such considerations or see a problem.
purple_depressed_bacon
Depends on the person but I think in general, it's okay. There's nothing wrong with have a binge-fest every now and then and as long as you don't neglect your work, chores, schoolwork etc. you're grand. I usually do work, research for work, cook, or exercise while I'm bingeing a show or having a movie marathon - killing two birds with one stone if you will.
nandakandamanda
My wife has Korean and Chinese historical and present-day dramas on all day every day, switching from one channel to the next like chain smoking. As if she is watching every series offered. Sometimes I ask her to turn down the sound as it permeates the house. She doesn't understand the meaning of them, though she has an eye on the subtitles, and she can't tell the difference between Korean and Chinese dramas, because I've asked her. I guess she likes the situations, costumes and raw emotions...? It doesn't seem to do her any harm, except to reinforce traditional stereotypical values that maybe she had in her childhood. (?)
When she is away I have a free hand to tidy up the house as her housekeeping does seem to suffer.
Mickelicious
In other words a one plus one is less than two relationship. Ganbare!
Garthgoyle
Addictive, yes. It's just as wasting your time playing online video games.
Tom San
Oh, no. Not at all. Just plop down on the couch with a bottle of Bud and some salted peanuts. Enjoy!
GBR48
Anything can become addictive for folk who are prone to addiction. Some are, some aren't.
I watch one episode of kdrama a night, sometimes two with a break in between. The supply of series that I enjoy is limited, so I'm rationing it.
I enjoy it more if I let an episode sink in for a bit or sleep on it. Watching an entire series in one evening wouldn't allow that.
Plus I'm simply too busy to binge. I work on-and-off through the day, evening and into the early hours. An hour off watching an episode relaxes me.
Wellington
No, not really addictive, but I found that continued exposure to violence, e.g. "Blacklist" is not that good for my mental state-of-health and can interfere with my sleep.
On the hand a well-written NZ mystery series called "Brokenwood Mysteries" with likable characters is easy to binge on with no bad side effects.
Mickelicious
In other words a 1 + 1
William Bjornson
If you voted "No", start watching "Line of Duty" and see what your opinion is then...
garypen
For me and my wife, binge watching means one or two episodes per night, for every night, until we've watched the whole series. Since most streaming or premium cable series are only 8-12 episodes per season, it doesn't take long to finish a season, without sucking up all of our time.
For instance, we started watching the original Justified series recently to prepare for the new "sequel" series. I had already seen all 5 seasons. But, it ended like 8 years ago. So, I wanted a refresher. And, she had never wanted to watch it back then, thinking it was a western. (It's not.)
She's glad I convinced her to watch it with me, as she's really enjoying it. And, I'm glad to be enjoying it again, this time with her, which is always more fun.
BTW, I recommend it for those who have enjoyed shows like Deadwood, Longmire, Ozark, etc
englisc aspyrgend
For me no, never binge watch. If you have an addictive personality then any activity can become a problem.
Aly Rustom, perhaps you are exercise addicted? :)
CaptDingleheimer
I pretty much only watch educational documentaries (currently plowing through episodes of 'How the
Universe Works' which is pretty darn good), so when I do binge watch, I feel like I'm learning something.
So a 'No' from me.
Khaos
An episode or two a day is fine, but if you get sucked into a show for over 4 hours per day, it can have a very negative effect.
Life can start feeling incredibly dull by comparison, chores get skipped, procrastination sets in, there is less time to do anything productive, and on top of that you may start feeling guilty about that while craving more entertainment.
theResident
No - Not as long as you do everything that really needs to be done before you sit down and binge. Bottle of wine, some artisan cheese. Big screen/Surround sound, all set.
Eastman
time wasting as same as games.
great way to go if you want to reduce your IQ.