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Stumble becomes most addicitive Web site

Randomly skimming Internet pages leads to hours of aimless, uncontrollable surfing, wasted time

By Dan Solley
Fourth-year pre-law student

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Published: Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Updated: Monday, October 26, 2009

I’ve finally found it — the most powerful and most addicting drug in the entire world. I came across said drug just last week, and I simply cannot shake it.
For instance, last night around 10 p.m. I decided to take a quick hit before going to bed. You know, just enough to help me go to sleep.
 Before I knew it six hours had passed, and I was curled up in the fetal position taking hit after hit of this potent substance.
As fourth-year history student Rakan Draz put it, “I don’t see what the big deal is, I mean, sure it’s addicting but it’s both legal and free!” That’s right — legal and free. Can you believe it?
After much deliberation, I have decided to tell the student body how to get their hands on this stuff. The euphoric effect of what I’m about to share with you comes at an incredible price, though, as I have already said. I’m not even sure it is ethical to tell you about this, because you are almost guaranteed to get hooked. But since we are all grown adults, I’ll leave it to you to be a responsible user.
Again, I warn you — this is the most addicting thing that you will ever encounter. I have lost hours of sleep, skipped meals and shunned some of my closest friends for Stumble.
For those of you who are not already familiar with what I’m talking about, you are actually lucky. Stumble, short for StumbleUpon.com, is a community-based Web site that allows users to aimlessly and randomly surf the web.
After initially starting your stumble, a button will appear on the top left corner of your web browser. When you click it you will be taken to some random point on the World Wide Web.
One second, you’re watching a YouTube clip of the world’s fastest painter, then, after a click, you’re reading the recipe for Perfect Brownies. Another click and you’re playing a flash game where you’re attempting to eradicate the world of oversized tapeworms.
Seems harmless enough, right? Yeah, I thought the same thing — just another Web site that can help me kill a few minutes between classes. Little did I know that Stumble has a way of taking hold of its users and not letting go.
Not every site that you are directed to is interesting — some information is boring and absolutely pointless — but I think that keeps you obsessed. You continually stumble through random knowledge hoping to find that one perfect Web site — the Mecca of the Internet. It’s just like a crackhead that is on a constant pursuit for that first high. It just does not exist.
So there you have it — Stumble, an incredible drug, but with devastating addiction potential. Use it, have fun, but please — above all else — be responsible.

Comments

55 comments
I
Thu Nov 12 2009 20:58
Stumble truly is more addictive than any drug. Yep, I stumbled here.
Peter
Wed Nov 11 2009 03:06
great article!
and, even better, i stumbled here.
quadanar
Sat Nov 7 2009 22:58
33k stumbles, 7k favs ... yea, I'm an addict.

Great Post, very well written ... stumbles away never to return ...

Cindy
Wed Nov 4 2009 05:47
Yes - I too am a Stumbleupon Addict where 5 more minutes = 5 hours!!!!
imzoose
Tue Nov 3 2009 16:41
2yrs, 10k SU. Amazing.
Your mum
Tue Nov 3 2009 12:25
next!
terdbergler
Thu Oct 29 2009 00:38
member of stumble university for a while as ej3.
777 favorites.
teresa
Wed Oct 28 2009 22:48
i feel like if i stop, i might be missing some awesome site! i have to unplug my laptop and let the battery run down sometimes, just so i'll stop!
RBRAVO
Wed Oct 28 2009 22:18
I've been stumbling all day! Up to 121 faves, Three friends are addicts as well. I will host Stumble Sundays at my place!
andrewcap
Wed Oct 28 2009 16:46
stumbled.

must... keep... stumbling...

aleks
Wed Oct 28 2009 15:33
ha it stumbled me here
René
Wed Oct 28 2009 15:26
"Published: Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Updated: Monday, October 26, 2009"

Huh?

And, please, do some double EOLs.

paco
Wed Oct 28 2009 15:25
thats funny! your mom left a comment.
Yos
Wed Oct 28 2009 15:02
I just found SU a few days ago and I am totally hooked already; I admit, I'm a Stumble-head.
Laura Solley
Wed Oct 28 2009 11:13
son, make sure you stumble to work and school regardless of your lack of sleep. :) Mom
ERIK
Wed Oct 28 2009 08:51
YOU CAN FIND ME ON SU AS GRIDSMASHERVET.
104,924 STUMBLES/29K FAVORITES AND 126 SUBSCRIBERS.
I AM TOTALLY ADDICTED
sweetjenn
Wed Oct 28 2009 08:37
I find it an excellent, harmless diversion from life and it's problems. It's wonderful~and yes I am also addicted~ you can do far more here than any other social network, you are able to truly express yourself~it is a great stress-reliever,without side effects;)
Eli
Wed Oct 28 2009 01:53
Hi, my name is eli and this is my 91,908'th stumble and still loving every minute of it
Guy
Wed Oct 28 2009 00:10
i stumbled this page 54k stumbles yay
Al
Tue Oct 27 2009 23:57
I wonder if stumble upon could be a new test to determine if people have tendencies toward addictive behavior. I do feel the urge to keep stumbling, but then I just walk away from my computer and water the plants or play with the cats ....






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