In response to increased cases of Internet Addiction Disorder in recent years (hey, they call it a CrackBerry for a reason), the Heavensfield Retreat Center has opened the first 45-day recovery program in the U.S. for sufferers of the disorder (similar programs already exist in other countries, like China).

To qualify for admittance to the program, you must show several of the following symptoms:

1. Have a strong desire or impulse to use the internet.

2. Decreasing or stopping of the internet leads to withdrawal symptoms (e.g., general malaise, restlessness, irritability, lack of concentration, dyssomnia); and the above mentioned symptoms may be relieved by similar electronic media (e.g., TV, handheld games, gaming devices).

3. Continually increasing the amount of internet use and the extent of internet involvement to reach sense of satisfaction.

4. Use of internet in spite of its harmful effects; despite knowledge of harmful effects, internet use is hard to stop.

5. Difficulties controlling beginning, and finishing, and the duration of time of internet use; efforts to modify internet use may be attempted multiple times without success.

6. As a result of internet use, interests, recreation or social activities are decreased or abandoned.

7. Internet use is seen as a way to escape problems or to gain relief from negative feelings.

8. The extent of internet use is denied or minimized to teachers, schoolmates, friends or professionals (including actual time and expenditure of internet contact).

9. Everyday life and social function is impaired (e.g., in social, academic and workability.)

Er, I might have to start taking up a collection for the $14,500 program fee.

—Alyssa

Who’s the handsome man with the bushy eyebrows, you wonder? I’ll tell you.  That’s Julius Genachowski — he was Obama’s technology advisor, and is now pegged to take over at the FCC. Throughout the campaign, he supported Web neutrality and government-supported proliferation of affordable broadband services.  Genachowski also champions consumer privacy rights and regulated media ownership to ensure diversity.  His leadership at FCC should be welcomed by all who enjoy freedom on the Web.  (Lets all hope he updates the FCC’s website! It’s a monstrosity.)

-Tom

A new study shows that Google runs over 10 million Web sites, and has a 10% share of all the active sites on the Internet. Google really is taking over the world, and for some reason, I’m sort of fine with that.

—Alyssa

Is your dirty laundry being aired out in cyberspace?

Do you ever feel as if the web has access to your personal diary?  It’s like the Internet knows all of your secrets.  The Web is always sending targeted pop-ups that you might not want to see (like you’re overweight, single, etc…) And now, Facebook is sending them too! Glamour.com recently posted on the topic and so has Yahoo! Shine and the Washington Post. Glamour.com writer Rachel Beckman summed up her experience like this:

Every time I logged in to my home page, Facebook’s ads screamed at me with all the subtlety of a drill sergeant: “MUFFIN TOP.” With the knowledge that I was engaged to be married, the site splashed an ad across the left side of the screen playing into a presumed vulnerability. Do you want to be a fat bride? You’d better go to such-and-such Web site to learn how to lose weight before the big day.”

-Michelle

Not quite sure what your friends are talking about when they refer to “Spaghetti Cat” or “Garfield Minus Garfield”? Check out this very cool interactive timeline of Internet memes, so next time you won’t be in the dark!

—Alyssa