Addiction again

I have been asked in certain media interviews about whether I'm just focused on semantics when I'm talking about the inappropriateness of 'Internet addiction'. Of course, one always can answer better after some more time to think about an answer. I consider that Internet addiction is an ambiguous term based on a false (or questionable) premise. Understandings of the phrase are multiple. Performances of detrimental Internet use are also multiple. 'Addiction' is thrown around and used meaninglessly in everyday conversation so the word's importance and ramifications are limited. In fact, to be addicted is a pathological problem of note. Flyaway glib comments about addiction are not appropriate when describing everyday ways of operating, and should be demarcated from describing detrimental behaviours. As I have argued before, in many cases, Internet 'over-use' is a misrecognition of leisure and/or learning.

Palmolive's new 'Nutra-Fruit Shower Gels' are advertised as 'addictive', groan.