Google Glass has endured a pretty rocky start to life, with many users experiencing backlash from a privacy-paranoid public and some reviewers complaining that it's, well, just not very good. However, one glasshole has fallen in a little bit too in love with the technology, to the point where he had to seek treatment for Glass addiction.
Scientists have treated an anonymous man they believe to be the first sufferer of internet addiction driven by Google Glass overuse. He had been using the device for around 18 hours a day. He even reported dreaming as if he was looking through the grey window of Glass and only took it off to wash or sleep. (Which sounds, to be honest, exactly what Google wants.)
The 31-year old US Navy officer had checked into the navy's Substance Abuse and Recovery Programme (SARP) for help with alcohol addiction. The treatment dictates that all addictive substances must be taken away from the patient for 35 days and also bans the use of any electronic devices. Doctors noticed that the patient repeatedly mimicked the motion of switching on the Google Glass display by tapping his right temple.
In a study called Addictive Behaviors, published by Science Direct, the authors found that "the patient exhibited significant frustration and irritability related to not being able to use his Google Glass. The patient exhibited a notable, nearly involuntary movement of the right hand up to his temple area and tapping it with his forefinger. He reported that if he had been prevented from wearing the device while at work, he would become extremely irritable and argumentative".
Maybe there's an app for that? In any case, it's probably not as creepy as the guy who stuck a microchip in his hand.
(h/t Guardian)
