Discussion Topic: KSSF72209 Doc B

Why are Stephanie Meyer’s novels so addictive ?

Jane Austen (the creator of the modern romance novel) introduced the general reading public to the addictive nature of romance novels. Her readers literally became addicted to Mr. Darcy and Ms. Bennett.

But Stephanie Meyer’s “Twilight Saga” novels are even more addictive than Ms. Austen’s were.

The reason Stephanie’s novels “seem” addictive, is because “they really are” addictive.

All addictions are caused by a release of endorphins in the human brain, brought on by either a specific activity, or a specific medication.

Good addictions, such as exercising, or reading a Stephanie Meyer novel, also are created by a release of endorphins. And that is what makes them so addictive.

Edward becomes an addiction for Bella, Bella for Edward, and both can become addictions for Stephanie’s readers.

Falling in love causes a tremendous release of endorphins. When Ms. Meyer’s readers are deprived of their daily endorphin “rush” their minds naturally craves more.

It is common to hear one of her readers say, “I have enjoyed reading a romance novel every week for years. But when I read “Twilight” it literally knocked me off my feet.”

Or: “As soon as I finished it, I felt like I had to read it again.

Typical romance novels inform us about love affairs. And this causes a small release of endorphins.

But Meyer’s novels can actually causes her reader’s subconscious minds to fall in love. And falling in love, and reading about love are two entirely different things.

Rather than causing the typical small endorphin release, that most romance novels produce, Stephanie’s can cause a huge release of endorphins.

In Psychology we refer to the mental phenomenon Austen and Meyer’s novels produce as, a “reverse transference.”

Meyer’s works so draws you into her characters’ psyches, that your subconscious mind actualy undergoes a transference phenomenon. And as you continue to read, eventually your subconscious mind, interprets Edward, Bella , and Jacobs feelings as your very own.

For example in a regular romance novel readers may feel disappointed if the main characters relationship fails.

But some “New Moon” readers report being so distraught, that they can’t stop crying for days at a time. Their subconscious minds aren’t reading about Bella and Edward’s suffering, their subconscious minds really are suffering.

When a reader comes to the end of a typical romance novel, he or she might feel a ting of sadness. But finishing a “Saga Novel” means saying good by to people you have grown to love. And as Jung (the father of modern psycology) would say “you sense a part of your self dying, as if you were saying good bye to an actual part of yourself.”

Now how did Ms. Meyer accomplish her little piece of literary magic.

It took her several steps.

First she so vividly depicts Edward, Bella and Jacob, that her readers begin to see them as real people.

Then she endows them with such endearing character traits, that the reader’s subconscious mind sees them as lovable.

And finally she takes her readers very deeply into her characters minds. She exposing their strengths, weaknesses, vulnerabilities, and humanity to the degree that her readers actually identify with them. And that is when the subconscious transference occurs.

Stephanie’s use of vulnerable human statements, that we often say to ourselves, are what cause the transference.

Examples:

“It was more than pathetic, it was unhealthy.”

“Not her.”

“You are my life now.”

“I would rather die than stay away from you.”

“The lion fell in love with the lamb..stupid lamb..masochistic lion.”

“It makes me anxious to be away from you.”

“Hopelessly, irrevocably in love.”

And by doing that her reader’s subconscious mind’s final hurtle is overcome. The reader’s subconscious quits thinking, that is exactly how I would have felt. And starts thinking “How could Edward have deserted me !” or “You are my life now.”

Thousands of Meyer’s readers have reported, that having read all of Meyer’s works they desperately want to find something else like them. But sadly there is nothing quite like her works presently ouy there.

In her novel, “Pride and Prejudice,” Jane Austen taught the general reading public how powerful transference can be. She did so causing them to fall in love with Elizabeth and Darcy. It seems only right then that Ms. Austen should also be the one to warn the public of the risks. She did so in her novel “Northanger Abby.”

Through Henry she tells us:

“The risk (of transference) is not in the (novels) we choose to read, but in how we read them. The power of (fiction) is it’s ability to deceive, but that is also where the danger lies. For fiction and reality are as different as air and water. And if you confuse the two, you will drown. Unless of course you are a fish. But if you are, (beware) for then the danger lies in the air.”

Reading Stephanie’s works cause the reader to run the risk of saying good bye to people they have grown to love. But it is better to have loved and lost, than to not have loved at all.

Your friend,
Doc B http://tinyurl.com/kpgvsr

If any of our readers have any specific comments or questions, I look forward to discussing them.
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Permalink Reply by Carli Lamb on August 24, 2009 at 7:30am
Fantastic. My mom is currently working on a teen romance novel. All my friends are wrapped up already in the characters. Who knows maybe this is the next romance that will be transferic, if that is a word.

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Permalink Reply by GemmaJ on August 24, 2009 at 10:08am
I thnk that she gives her character aspects that everyone can relate to..

If anyone has watched friends, I dont think that you can compare yourself to anyone character you rarely find that you are just one. I think that it happens in the books to even though, most compare themselves to Edward or Bella with the exception of yourself and Carlise, but i can compare myself to Bella, Alice, Edward.

Some of it is the fact that we have experienced at least one aspect of their relationship, the breaking up, infatuation even a love triangle and also fighting for something we believe in.

My boss read the books to she said that “not much is going on(wrong there is loads), but i had to carry on reading to see if thay get their happy ending”

Could this be what draws into Pride and Prejudice, yes i do, if it is a well written love story, you will always want to see the happy ending

Gem

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Permalink Reply by Doc B M.D. on August 24, 2009 at 10:39am
Delete Dear Gemma,

You are exactly right !!!!!.
Why was Stephanie able to so perfectly write Bella, and Edwards stories. Because psychological she is both Bella and Edward.

And why could Austen so perfectly write Darcy and Elizabeth’s stories, Because psychologically she really is both Darcy and Elizabeth,

You are right again (Jung the father of modern Psychology) said parts of us make up almost every character. Your observation that YOU ARE EDWARD AND BELLA AND ALICE is genius. (as usual… trust me you really are blessed with a gift for seeing things)

You Identify much more with one, or two of them, more than the others but you are ALL of them.

I identify with Carlyle most, but then Edward,and then Bella, then Esme then Alice the Emmett. I find very little in common with James, but I am sure there is a drop of him somewhere in me.

That was Jung’s genius breakthrough.(Jung supplanted Freud as being the most respected opinion in Psychology) Why am I not surprised that our Gemma instinctively understood it.

Great observation Gemma,

Your friend,
Doc B

early day miners – so slowly.mp3

Success Story (20 MB download)
Slap together burgers for hungry customers, serve french fries and desserts, and keep the line moving! Work fast while the ingredients are still fresh. Choose the ones that will earn you more profit, and complete combos to earn even more! Beat the bosses in the mini-games and turn the fast food business in the big city into your very own success story in this addictive and tasty time management game!

This article is not surprising, but it is frightening.  Methamphetamine is incredibly addictive. Any pregnant woman who has abused methamphetamine, no matter their intentions should immediately get into effective drug treatment.  Good intentions and will power are often not stronger than the pull of addiction.  Good people go bad with methamphetamine and we can’t count on them to make ethical decisions.

Narconon 877-413-3073  drugsno.com

Pregnant mice given a single dose of methamphetamine had babies who suffered from developmental problems and impaired motor skills, according to a University of Toronto researcher.

The Saskatoon Star Phoenix reported March 19 that researchers believe that meth use releases free radicals in the brain, which can cause a variety of damage, including to DNA. Fetal brains have less ability than adult brains to counteract free radicals, said University of Toronto researcher Peter Wells.

In mice, the harmful effects of prenatal meth use appear to be permanent. Wells said it’s not clear if the animal studies can be applied to human drug use, however. “It’s very difficult to know the (troubles) that meth causes in humans because there’s very little documentation about what they’re exposed to,” he said.

http://www.jointogether.org/news/headlines/inthenews/2007/single-dose-of-meth-can-hurt.html

Bubble Town (16 MB download)
The MySpace and Facebook phenomenon is now available for download! Save Borb Bay from calamity in this addictive arcade-puzzler! Join the unforgettable cast of characters for an adventure of bubble-popping proportions! Test your skills against bosses like the Overlump, the Roboss, and the mastermind behind it all… but who could it be?

Hmm..Petrol on the rise! What to do?!

How about saving $10 per petrol tank you pump in Esso, Shell or Caltex & A FREE ROAD TAX/INSURANCE  of savings for the whole year?!!! but it only costs you less than a Nike dri-fit shirt?!

WOw that sounds unbelievable AND too good to be true!

But don’t doubt, read on Cos It’s true!

Atom power (Formerly known as Power Z) is a KOREA national product that is funded by “Korea Institute of Energy Research(KIER), a government sector, resulted from years of research and development by the Korean Institute of Energy Research (KIER).

It has won multiple awards and has been approved by TÜV SÜD PSB Singapore.

Formerly sold in Autobac, Silent and Stamford tyres for years,it comes with a new better formula HELPS YOUR CAR TO INCREASE POWER, MILEAGE & save fuel consumption in long term!

The major customers from all industry trust Power Z!
http://www.technobio.co.kr/eng/customer.htm

The accreditation and awards given by Korean institute and other association
http://www.technobio.co.kr/eng/history.htm

* Green Label Product: ISO 14001 & ISO 9001, Environmental & Quality Certificate Approval.
* Visit http://www.technobio.co.kr/eng/prizes.htm

Atom power BENEFITS at a GLANCE

- Increased mileage by 10%-15%
- Improved cold start engine
- Increased engine output thus more power
- New formula to help clear engine from carbon
- Reduced emission
- Reforms particles into super fine particles in fuel facilitating complete combustion
- Breaking up sludge in a fuel tank and reusing it as fuel

TEST Report before and after using power Z on an AUDI A4 by PSB Singapore – PROVEN!

Click to enlarge the Lab report by PSB Singapore on an Audi A4 2.0

Results!

• Reduction in Fuel Consumption: 35% after using Atom Power !
• Improvement in Fuel Efficiency: 55% after using Atom Power !

Directions:

1. Pour needed amt of atom power into the fuel tank before doing any top up of fuel and then proceed to do top up. Every 1-2ML = 1L of petrol. Each bottle is 250 ml.
2. Over usage will not do any damage to the engine!

Due to overwhelming response, 13,000 stocks were sold out in 1.5 day!

Now, that’s credibility!

Order is required now for 2nd batch.

1 twin pack is at a promotional price of $50 ONLY which helps you to save a year of road tax/insurance based on the calculations below – Click here to see costs savings benefit

Don’t miss the promotion for this Nov- Dec!

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Farm Craft (29 MB download)
Farm Craft is a classic tale of good vs. evil where our hero, Ginger, must help various rural farmers take on the AgroCorportion, a big agricultural conglomerate that wants to develop the land outside of town. It’s up to Ginger to save her farm and the village from AgroCorp! (Heck, the whole county is depending on her!) Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty in this addictive time-management game that will bring out the farmer in you!

The first time I tasted these, they were the sweet favors at my friend Lindsey’s wedding. I rushed over to her to find out what fancy confectionary outfit she purchased these babies from.

They were amazing, thick dark chocolate, crunchy toasty almonds, large bits of turbinado sugar, but most glorious of all, obscenely large hunks of salt. Lindsey lowered her voice and said “Trader Joe’s,” and a love affair was born.

I am recommending these as the hostess gift of the 2009 holiday season, but don’t forget to buy a box for yourself. Or, if you open the box and repackage in a schmancy container, maybe a few will fall out and  you’ll be forced to eat them.

Quick update!
Have a go at this link!
http://getonmyhorse.com/

quite funny musicvideo starring two typical american
19th century people.

WARNING!
ADDICTIVE

Written by: Espen Dyrland

Harbor Havoc 3D is a new and intense game of collision avoidance from Backflip Studios, creators of Paper Toss and Ragdoll Blaster. With gameplay that is simple to learn but challenging to master, this game will keep you playing for hours.

Your task is to route boats, submarines and helicopters to their respective ports without running into other vehicles of the same kind. It starts easy but quickly picks up pace.

Harbor Havoc 3D takes line drawing games to the next level through multi-level gameplay, striking 3D graphics and gorgeous animations.

The game includes:
-Beautiful 3D graphics
-Stunning environmental effects
-Innovative gameplay
-Dramatic explosions
-Wide variety of vehicles
-Immersive music
-Nautical sounds and animations
-Intuitive touch controls
-Plus+ integration
-Direct challenges using push notifications
-Post scores on Facebook and Twitter
-Global online scoreboards
-Awards
-Insanely addictive

Like all Backflip games, Harbor Havoc 3D is simple, fun and addictive.

Looking for some fun? A new gravatar or wicked-cool profile pic for Facebook, Multiply, My Space……?

I’ll direct you to THE place to go…

Photofunia is probably the most fun you’ll have since digital cameras and being able to take multiple pictures without spending anything extra!

And the best part…. It’s FREE!

Just take any average looking photo, choose an effect/  scene/ setting from Photofunia and voila!

However, I must warn you. It is TOTALLY addictive. There won’t be any hope in stopping you.

Hey, and it’s almost Friday. This site’s real fab for those Monday-blues too.

Here’s a few of my own pics to give you a taste of what to expect. A few of our wedding pics I used…

If you’re not entirely satisfied with the outcome, you simply choose a different effect.

Abracadabra!

Here’s the outcome from the two other special ladies in my life with the pics from our wedding.

Another wicked feature, is that you can upload more than one of your photos in a single scene!

Once you get your grubby little paws on some other pics, you’ll find yourself back at the site again.

Here’s my latest additions….

Last but not least, my new Facebook profile pic. The fab feature of this pic, is that the text is editable. “Out of my Mind! Back in Five…” seemed suited as a mid-week upload.

So, eat your heart out, feast your eyes. Pro shots without the hassle or know-how of Photoshop.  Or time for that matter.

Click here to go to Photofunia…. and enjoy.

Other photo applications:
Deefunia.com
Foto Trix
PicJoke.com

I prefer Photofunia. Hey, whatever floats your boat.

Photogenically….. (Tee hee!) Till later.

apocalex: “We just left, it’s 6am.  We have conquered the Halo”.  I received this text message from a friend when that game was released a long time ago.  I left his house at around midnight, I worked late and had class the next morning, leaving three of my friends as they were just setting foot upon a large alien construct called Halo.

Ostensibly we game because it’s fun, we like to play games.  I’ve been considering the difference between “fun” and “addicting” since I wrote a single sentence on the subject in an earlier post.  That old standby Wikipedia tells me that video game addiction has these possible symptoms:

“Excessive use of video games may have some or all the symptoms of drug addiction or other proposed psychological addictions. Some players become more concerned with their interactions in the game than in their broader lives. Players may play “many” hours per day, gain or lose significant weight due to playing, disrupt sleep patterns to play, play at work, avoid phone calls from friends and/or lie about play time. Relationships with family and friends, and performance at work or school, may suffer.”

Maybe I’m already more hikkikomori than I should be, but that sounds like what I’d call an average avid gamer (I hesitate to use the word hardcore when it comes to something like videogaming).  But there is another sentence that caught my eye and was part of the seed of this post: “. . . focusing almost entirely on in-game achievements”

If you do a quick search online, the major gaming conglomerates, blogs, magazines, what have you, say similar things about a couple games we at analoguesticks have also touched upon – Dragon Age: Origins, and Borderlands.  Namely, they say “Addictive fun!” in colorful ways.  Is it really though?  I could say the very same about Fallout 3, Call of Duty, Diablo 2, and WoW.  To me there are very fine differences between aspects of a game and games as a whole being fun or addictive.  For instance, Counterstrike, the gargantuan monster that it was; was both fun and addictive.  My first girlfriend (her previous gaming favorite was Snowboard Kids 2), was addicted to Counterstrike to the point of academic probation at Berkeley a long time ago.  FPS’s are nothing if they aren’t fun.  The point is, if I may be so bold; I disagree with Wikipedia (GASP!).

I think addiction occurs when one continues to game with the same investment of time and concentration after all the ingame goals have been achieved.  Borderlands is addictive once the plot is done and the player reaches 50 and continues to play, they only allow 2 playthroughs of the game, and if one keeps playing – constantly, regularly, and investing a “caring” of the game, then one is addicted.  Counterstrike was this way first and foremost.  There was no achievement to be gained besides getting more and more kills.  You get a “high” from doing well in a game, and wanting that high is, flatly addictive.

How many gamers out there (like me) have used a phrase similar to: “Man, that was a great game, I’m gonna call it a day,  I can’t beat that game”.

It’s mild, but I’d call that a symptom of addiction.  There is an argument against addiction in games like Borderlands, because one is always hunting for that ultimate weapon.  But to what end?  If the world has been saved, then there is no need for a weapon to save the world.

I might write more on this topic later, I gotta think about it.

And go play Borderlands.

According to U.C. Davis epidemiologists, the leading cause of fire fatalities and serious burn to the elderly is the use of smoking materials…matches, lighters and cigarettes.

Although many have given up the habit of smoking, and I applaud them, there are still plenty of smokers.  I do not wish to debate where society sits on the matter, that just seems irrelevant.

When grandma was young, everyone smoked.  It was very in, very acceptable and yes, very sexy.  Is nicotine addictive?  Well yes, this is fact.  But Grandma Fran dearly loves to smoke, whether you like it or not, and has no intention of quitting. 

The years go by. Grandma has moved into a small apartment and the neighbors complain that the smell tobacco  smoke drifts through the walls.  Grandma tends to doze off sometimes…the chances of accidently emptying  an ashtray to early and starting a fire…the family is worried.  The answer is TORCH.

You might not be familiar with Torch electronic cigarettes. Let me explain.

Firstly there is no tobacco. Let me repeat that. There is no tobacco. This means no carcinogens, tar or 4000 chemicals associated with tobacco. Secondly, nothing is ignited. With Torch there is no chance of fire from falling asleep while using. It is safe to use with medical oxygen. There are no ashes or butts, no first or second hand smoke. No smell to offend others.

For the non-smoker, Torch addresses all of the negative aspects. The carcinogens, the smoke, the smell and, yes, even the litter.

What does a Torch electronic cigarette offer the smoker? Torch is a nicotine delivery system. Nicotine is what the smoker wants along with the oral and tactile stimulation that smoking provides. Looking like a traditional cigarette, Torch is 30-50% less costly than tobacco cigarettes.

Torch provides a healthier, cleaner, safer and considerate alternative to traditional smoking. We do not live in a perfect world but we can strive to keep our freedom and liberty while being respectful to all.  Torch is the answer.

For more information:  www.torchcigarettes.com

We all know this is true! It’s a vicious cycle–we indulge in some junk food, we rush through the fast food drive-through window, and the next thing we know, we’re wanting MORE! Study: Junk Food As Addictive As Heroin.

Ne-am propus ca tema a site-ului, un joc browser-based.

MyUglyCreature este de fapt un “pet” urat pe care il dezvolti facand diverse activitati. Atentie, activitatile sunt usor “addictive” si constau in quiz-uri, puzzle-uri interesante, imagini cu indicii, imagini in care trebuie sa cauti un anumit obiect, si alte activitati obisnuite unui joc de genul asta : castigarea de puncte prin accesarea unui link de catre prieteni sau “click-click”-uri, de exemplu sa dai de mancare petului, sau sa il speli.
Acest ugly creature se dezvolta dupa dorinta utilizatorului, adaugandu-i-se in functie de punctaje si bani de la ochi in plus pana la picioare,maini si degete. Cu cat mai urat cu atat mai frumos!

De ce MyUglyCreature? R: Homo Ludens

De ce un joc? Aproape toata lumea se joaca. Daca nu se joaca pe o consola sau pe PC sigur ajunge la un browser game.
De ce un joc intre atatea ? Nu exista un joc online cu o astfel de tema. In schimb este abordata la pluş-uri si haine, genti, in special cele hand-made.

This weekend and very fitting for Halloween the Addictive sim (home of Digit Darkes, Diversity Hair and now many other stores) finally reopened. I’ve been waiting for this for quite some time, because it’s truly a unique looking sim now.

The sim is dominated with black, white and grey colors with glimpses of very colorful items that light up the place and forms a rather surrealistic experience.
Inspired by movies as the Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland, the sim is packed with fun and wonderful details and absolutely worth a visit.
Because of the very unique look and yes neutral colors, the sim is idle for photographing and picture taking if you’re looking for a different kind of background.

This Halloween weekend there is a hunt going on to celebrate the opening of the sim with prizes and goodies to pick up from some of the designers who has stores at Addictive. Hunt itself is very fun and has clues to help you through. I especially like that you don’t have to use all day looking for the gifts, wondering if they remembered to put them all out (I can confirm they’re all there

Addictive sim – http://slurl.com/secondlife/Addictive/31/24/30

Fan Death is string driven disco pop band that is a collaboration between Dandilion Wind Opaine, Marta Jacuibek and producer Szam Findlay.

I’ve found myself constantly humming this new track since I first heard it.

Fan Death – Reunited

The video is an all out celebrity fest with some ‘just in time for Halloween’ cameos from Marilyn Manson, Axel Rose, Prince – to name a few.

I have been running in circles it seems with very little effect to my life. I have been working and haven’t been able to save. I have been trying to be a normal calm individual with very little success. I can’t even get my own house in order.

To sum it all up… I feel like a waste of space right now. I don’t feel good about myself and my progress… well… there really hasn’t been any progress….

I recently came to the conclusion that I need counseling but I don’t have the money to really go often. I found some information on a low income place that I am going to try but to be honest… I’m a little apprehensive about going. When I was younger, I went to many places trying to do a quick fix on me but to no avail. Back then, I used to pull my hair out and I was almost bald. No one could figure out why I did it, I told them it was because of nervousness and stress and that is true… but sometimes I did it because I just HAD to… it was almost like chewing my nails… I felt pressure until I did it. Now that I’m older I realize that I am an obsessive/addictive personality so no wonder I couldn’t stop back then. I still struggle with it but that’s not why I need a counselor now. I’ve been having a hard time letting things go from the past and I have negative feelings about myself. Worst of all… I’ve been constantly emotional and easily get defensive and angry. Because of this defensiveness I have taken my anger out on Donnie for no reason at all.  He tries to help me and because his opinion differs “I try to defend myself since it’s obviously an attack on ME”.

I have tried many times not to fight with Donnie but I only manage to fight worse and if I manage to keep my mouth shut long enough just so he can speak it feels like a spring inside being pushed down and ready to spring harder and harder. I always cut in on  him when he’s trying to explain things because I have to make sure he knows my side when I hear something I don’t agree with.

I’ve given up on myself at this point. I will be giving the counseling thing a try. I just hope I don’t have to go on medicine.

Have you ever been to counseling? I’d love to hear how it went for you. I’m hoping that I can fix my past to push myself towards the future. Wish me luck.

Werewolfchibichan

Ooo, this is a bit addictive. You are Obechi, herder of small colourful dots and er,..eh, there’s not much of a plot. You just click your mouse to make a circle that covers up spots. It’s awesome. My best time for the 15 levels is 12 mins 44 (“Bad Obechi! D+”), so you’ll need to set aside more than a couple of minutes, but it’s a good game.

Obechi