Comments on: Can interacting with avatars reduce depression? http://www.kurzweilai.net/can-interacting-with-avatars-reduce-depression Accelerating Intelligence Fri, 24 May 2013 20:59:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: WLGJR http://www.kurzweilai.net/can-interacting-with-avatars-reduce-depression/comment-page-1#comment-98305 WLGJR Wed, 13 Feb 2013 08:49:13 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=180090#comment-98305 Using a screen name that is not your real name (a fancy one especially, or one of a celebrity) cures depression to a certain degree, too. Using a screen name that is not your real name (a fancy one especially, or one of a celebrity) cures depression to a certain degree, too.

]]> By: Steve Waclo http://www.kurzweilai.net/can-interacting-with-avatars-reduce-depression/comment-page-1#comment-98281 Steve Waclo Wed, 13 Feb 2013 05:41:43 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=180090#comment-98281 Been struggling with Winston Churchill's "black dog" for many a year and I'm beginning to seriously doubt the very existence of depression. Symptoms may certainly exist, but my contention is that, to a great extent, we allow ourselves to be as depressed as we choose to be. Remove the causes of a persons depression, often easier said than done, or remove the person from surroundings contributing to depression, also often easier said, and I contend the malady will resolve. Learning self-management skills through interaction with an avatar is one example of removal from depression inducing "real life". Unfortunately, it's only temporary. Been struggling with Winston Churchill’s “black dog” for many a year and I’m beginning to seriously doubt the very existence of depression. Symptoms may certainly exist, but my contention is that, to a great extent, we allow ourselves to be as depressed as we choose to be. Remove the causes of a persons depression, often easier said than done, or remove the person from surroundings contributing to depression, also often easier said, and I contend the malady will resolve.

Learning self-management skills through interaction with an avatar is one example of removal from depression inducing “real life”. Unfortunately, it’s only temporary.

]]> By: Dan http://www.kurzweilai.net/can-interacting-with-avatars-reduce-depression/comment-page-1#comment-98225 Dan Tue, 12 Feb 2013 20:53:46 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=180090#comment-98225 Clearly it is the content of any form of interaction that is most important. For example, Ray's chat-bot Ramona 4.1 is want to tell people that they are going to die. Clearly it is the content of any form of interaction that is most important. For example, Ray’s chat-bot Ramona 4.1 is want to tell people that they are going to die.

]]> By: Vin http://www.kurzweilai.net/can-interacting-with-avatars-reduce-depression/comment-page-1#comment-98198 Vin Tue, 12 Feb 2013 18:47:37 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=180090#comment-98198 Playing second life always cheers me up anyway. Playing second life always cheers me up anyway.

]]> By: Khannea Suntzu http://www.kurzweilai.net/can-interacting-with-avatars-reduce-depression/comment-page-1#comment-98128 Khannea Suntzu Tue, 12 Feb 2013 14:52:00 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=180090#comment-98128 Actually a huge number of people in Second Life are doing this. If this catches on I predict *massive* societal shifts in core expectations and psychology of teh people. Actually a huge number of people in Second Life are doing this. If this catches on I predict *massive* societal shifts in core expectations and psychology of teh people.

]]> By: Khannea Suntzu http://www.kurzweilai.net/can-interacting-with-avatars-reduce-depression/comment-page-1#comment-98127 Khannea Suntzu Tue, 12 Feb 2013 14:51:09 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=180090#comment-98127 Actually *being* an avatar for a while allows you to strongly reassess and reconstruct your self image in the most interesting manner. Actually *being* an avatar for a while allows you to strongly reassess and reconstruct your self image in the most interesting manner.

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