Internet Addicts Excused from Finnish Army

Whoda thunk

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=573&ncid=573&e=3&u=/nm/20040803/od_nm/odd_finland_internet_dc
from JoeUser Forums
I never would have considered that internet addiction would be a viable excuse for military service. But that just shows how limited my imagination is.

    HELSINKI (Reuters) - A number of Finnish conscripts have been excused their full term of military service because they are addicted to the Internet, the Finnish Defense Forces said Tuesday.

    Doctors have found the young men miss their computers too much to cope with their compulsory six months in the forces.

    For people who play (Internet) games all night and don't have any friends, don't have any hobbies, to come into the army is a very big shock," said Commander-Captain Jyrki Kivela at the military conscription unit.


Wait, isn't playing games all night considered a hobby?

Sounds to me like the Army is just what these people need."
2,561 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
Wouldn't it be ironic if they were addicted to first person shooters?

"I can't join the army because I miss my video game where I compete against other players' characters by shooting at them with an assault rifle."
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
I heard this on the way into work this morning and laughed some of the sleep out of my eyes. How can 6 months away from your computer be disabling. Next on Dr. Phil....
Ashes of the Singularity II
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
Sounds to me like the Army is just what these people need."


But are these people just what the Army needs?
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
But are these people just what the Army needs?

Ah, who cares? It isn't my Army. It'll just make it easier when us imperialistic Americans decide to invade Finland.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
It'll just make it easier when us imperialistic Americans decide to carry out our plans to invade Finland.


Fixed your comment.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
Hope this news doesn't get to South Korea. They have mandatory service there, too. The internet addiction rate for young men there is probably higher than they are ready to admit. They already have some odd ways to get out of service over there.

- commit a felony

- cover a signifiacant portion of your body with tattoos - this one leads to jail, too, for purposely trying to get out of service.

- drop weight to become unhealthy when you take your physical - a son of a Korean President did this a few years back

- bribe your way out (or at least into the KATUSA program)
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
Fixed your comment.

That is only needed if Kerry wins. Only then will we need to distinguish between intent and action.