The Foundry: Unhealthy?

wuhsin

After devoting a couple of months to the Foundry, I have decided it is not healthy.. My neck has been killing me due to the strain of spending extended periods of time editing in the Foundry, or reading/typing on the forum. I've been working on my posture, but a long break will be necessary for me. Also, the competitive nature of the Foundry community has caused me a lot of unnecessary stress. Stress can lead to anxiety, panic attacks, ulcers, migraines, and a myriad of other problems. I'm lucky that I've not developed carpal tunnel from the numerous rant posts I've typed as a result of said stress. Would not surprise me if others have. Weight gain is another issue. I've put on a few pounds, I'm not sure if it's from being much more stationary than usual due to working with the Foundry, or if it's from all the beer I've drank to cope with the stress. Anyway, I'm taking a LONG vacation until some changes are made not only to the Foundry but also within the community.

crok2

Always good to take a break wuhsin. And as with most games, you will be a lot happier if you avoid the forums

izatar

wuhsin wrote: »

After devoting a couple of months to the Foundry, I have decided it is not healthy.. My neck has been killing me due to the strain of spending extended periods of time editing in the Foundry, or reading/typing on the forum. I've been working on my posture, but a long break will be necessary for me. Also, the competitive nature of the Foundry community has caused me a lot of unnecessary stress. Stress can lead to anxiety, panic attacks, ulcers, migraines, and a myriad of other problems. I'm lucky that I've not developed carpal tunnel from the numerous rant posts I've typed as a result of said stress. Would not surprise me if others have. Weight gain is another issue. I've put on a few pounds, I'm not sure if it's from being much more stationary than usual due to working with the Foundry, or if it's from all the beer I've drank to cope with the stress. Anyway, I'm taking a LONG vacation until some changes are made not only to the Foundry but also within the community.

This describes very closely the life of a commercial software developer. This is why the construction worker neighbor in the move "Office Space" is so canny; to a programmer a low stress blue collar job where you get a little exercise and fresh air can sound pretty appealing at times;)

lonnehart

This is why I don't spend long hours at the Foundry. If I feel tired, weary, or just not in the mood I don't stay in the Foundry. Keeps me from totally burning out and lets me clear my mind so I have a set of fresh ideas when I get back on. Of course, this slows down my own development of Foundry quests... I have yet to put one out... But I also don't have to leave it for too long.

I suggest 15 minute breaks for every hour if you're gonna spend all day on the thing anyway. And do something else. Like walk the Skeletal Blue Flame Dog, play Fetch with your cat, or Dwarven Football with your Orcish friends.

xhrit

izatar wrote: »

This describes very closely the life of a commercial software developer. This is why the construction worker neighbor in the move "Office Space" is so canny; to a programmer a low stress blue collar job where you get a little exercise and fresh air can sound pretty appealing at times;)

Just think about those of us who spend 10 hours a day in a cubicle writing software, only to come home and open the foundry to relax.

At least in the foundry you don't have to worry about getting your quest outsourced to India.

celantra

It is easy to blame the activity, but really we have to take responsibility for ourselves, and our actions. While it takes a fair bit of dedication to put out anything of quality in the foundry, it is ok to take your time. Competitiveness is usually touted as a good thing in our society, but can often be the cause of all the ills you describe above.

Take it all with a grain of salt, and a healthy belt of whatever will relax you. If your not having fun, then you are doing something wrong. Sounds like you have realized that the fun was gone, and a break is in order. That being said, we can only take responsibility for our actions, it is not the community, or the tool, or the down time. Ultimately, it is how you respond to the issues and individuals that are around you. First and foremost, be the person that you want to be, and do the things that give you joy. Everything else is just noise on the radio.

I hope you find what you want and need, and us foundry folk will be here when you figure it all out.

dzogen

Generally speaking, sitting in front of your computer soaking up radiation and drinking beer isn't super healthy long term.

That said, you could balance things out. Go for a walk, or hit the gym. Then get back to the game. You don't have to quit totally.

drakesigar

For most of us, creating something borders on obsession and we don't know how to pace ourselves. I still don't know what to say, other than trot out the obvious lines like drink plenty of fluids (NOT ENERGY DRINKS) to avoid headache, don't forget to blink, change sitting positions regularly, and never refuse to go out when asked. Also if you ever turn down a night of lovin', delete your account and destroy your computer immediately before the foundry's hold becomes irreversible.

raphaeldisanto

celantra wrote: »

It is easy to blame the activity, but really we have to take responsibility for ourselves, and our actions. While it takes a fair bit of dedication to put out anything of quality in the foundry, it is ok to take your time. Competitiveness is usually touted as a good thing in our society, but can often be the cause of all the ills you describe above.

Take it all with a grain of salt, and a healthy belt of whatever will relax you. If your not having fun, then you are doing something wrong. Sounds like you have realized that the fun was gone, and a break is in order. That being said, we can only take responsibility for our actions, it is not the community, or the tool, or the down time. Ultimately, it is how you respond to the issues and individuals that are around you. First and foremost, be the person that you want to be, and do the things that give you joy. Everything else is just noise on the radio.

I hope you find what you want and need, and us foundry folk will be here when you figure it all out.

QFT. This. Exactly this.

shefenhow

drakesigar wrote: »

Also if you ever turn down a night of lovin', delete your account and destroy your computer immediately before the foundry's hold becomes irreversible.

If it wasn't for patches I would have no kids at all.

drnoesis

drakesigar wrote: »

Also if you ever turn down a night of lovin', delete your account and destroy your computer immediately before the foundry's hold becomes irreversible.

but i don't want to delete my acc and destroy my pc

wuhsin

drakesigar wrote: »

Also if you ever turn down a night of lovin', delete your account and destroy your computer immediately before the foundry's hold becomes irreversible.

Yeah, I know a certain girl who would probably like that.

nimmanu

I'm sorry, but it doesn't sound to me like the Foundry is the problem. It sounds like you have an unhealthy level of attachment to it. You are not getting paid to do this, so there's really no one to blame but yourself if you choose not to use it in moderation.

drakesigar

shefenhow wrote: »

If it wasn't for patches I would have no kids at all.

Indeed, those patches are necessary in order to maintain a steady stream of future customers and feed the machine. If you put on a pair of 3D glasses while gazing at the startup page, it looks like this:

antonkyle

wuhsin wrote: »

Also, the competitive nature of the Foundry community has caused me a lot of unnecessary stress. Stress can lead to anxiety, panic attacks, ulcers, migraines, and a myriad of other problems.

What you really mean is 'your' competitive nature is causing you stress, no one else is competing, just each trying to get plays. Anyway there are ways to combat these things, diazepam, weed, booze. My choice is weed and booze, I don't trust stuff the government give you.

wuhsin

antonkyle wrote: »

My choice is weed and booze, I don't trust stuff the government give you.

Good choice. I don't trust pharmaceutical corporations, doctors, or the government. I've seen pills do some terrible things to people.

ovaltine74

Exercise is key to doing this sort of work long term. I did not always think like that, but the older you get, the more it becomes apparent. It is also a great excuse to get in several rounds of golf a week.

almostcool

When something online starts to dictate your real life moods it's a good idea to take a break for awhile. Kind of like a friend of mine contemplating suicide because of stuff that happens when he RPs online.

keiran25

People laugh at me for it but the Wii Fit was the best investment I ever made health wise, break up a block of who knows how many hours in front of a screen coding/debugging/trying to not to put a fist through the monitor by a fifteen min aerobic work out and a stretch every so often has dsone my back and posture freaking wonders.