3 Signs You're Addicted to Learning

3/1/2013

Maybe you've never considered "learning" as a possible addiction, but here I am to suggest the contrary. "Addiction is a brain disease," Alan I. Leshner, PhD. said back in 1997. He was considering the chemistry of the brain as it related to addiction, but I believe there are many more ways to look at such a statement, one of them being the way you process information. For example, there are some of us who coast in life, just bouncing off the ropes a bit, because there's an inherent sense of knowledge.

Some people like to refer to such individuals as "old spirits" because they either know everything, literally, or because they have a basic understanding of what to do in life. "New spirits" are often seen as inferior or somewhat ignorant individuals. These people tend to question everything and always flash a curious eye. In my opinion, the stigma around new spirits (and/or "souls" as I think of it now) is completely erroneous and arbitrary at best. People who want to know more, might have a real advantage in life, but on the other hand, they might have a limiting addiction.

Half A Dozen Monkeys

WHY WE'RE ADDICTED TO LEARNING

"MAY BE BECAUSE WE DON’T HAVE ANY TIME LEFT, BECAUSE WE HAVE TOO MUCH INFORMATION TO KNOW WHERE TO START, OR EVEN THAT WE HAVE READ SO MUCH ABOUT SOMETHING THAT OUR DESIRE TO DO IT IS KILLED OFF. NOW I LOVE IRONY, BUT IS THIS INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATING."

[Visit HADM.]

1. What is known becomes what is lame.

The aforementioned quote from Half a Dozen Monkeys is definitely something of interest. While the site focuses mostly around technology and work life, the notion of learning's irony is one of the best exemplars of a learning addiction.

Admittedly, my 3 points aren't the only qualifications for a learning addiction, but I think they definitely point in the right direction (no pun intended?). For this one, we're talking about always wanting to learn more, and then becoming bored in life once we know too much.

For example, let's think about the said work life. Some people, who are addicted to learning new things, will hop on a job and love it . . . until they learn too much. Then they feel dishonest, belittled, or just plain bored. It's always good to know more stuff, but sometimes the quest for knowledge results in a lack of experience. For the sake of the example, if you switch jobs a lot because they all become too easy, you're not likely to move up in the ranks.

If you find you're so ravenous for knowledge you rarely feel motivated to use what you've learned, you might be addicting to learning. While a good thing, we can see here how wanting to know too much is detrimental. Of course, I'm not going to let anyone really believe ignorance is bliss.

2. Ignorance isn't bliss.

This is pretty simple keynote. There are a lot of people out there who like to throw around cliches like "as intended" or "ignorance is bliss." (To stay true to the point, I'm not going to explain the former phrase.)

There are those who are ignorant and say ignorance is bliss, and there are those who know a lot and still say ignorance is bliss.

However, if you refuse to believe such a thing and continue to deflate your ignorance then you're probably addicted to learning. If you despise those who stay out of the know, then it's a sure deal. At least, you characteristic #2 explains you.

3. Time well spent.

This might be the most important characteristic of someone who is addicted to learning. I'm going to refer you to myself for this one (hey, it's my blog).

I have this strange sensation whenever I'm trying to go out into the world. Whenever I'm lounging somewhere, boondoggling, and so on, I'm always itching to write, read, or play guitar. I feel as though any time wasted, could've been time I used for productivity.

The constant urge to learn more and improve oneself is a clear-cut sign you might like learning a bit too much. But like all the other signs before this one, it's not necessarily a bad thing. In terms of your social life, you might be screwed. However, a well-educated individual is a good thing. A well-educated individual who continues to expand their horizons is even greater. It's important to actually stick with something, but it's equally important to keep learning. If you're showing all 3 symptoms, you're probably addicted to learning and are using multiple browsers while reading this blog post. Don't worry, though, you're in good company.

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24 Comments

Roxana link

3/9/2013 01:56:37 am

I've read this and now I feel like I'm standing in front of a dark-ish room, with a number of people sitting around on chairs, their faces half-hidden in shadows. I start speaking: "Hello, my name is Roxana and I'm addicted to learning..."

I love my addiction and I'm happy for it. However, do you ever feel like it gets too much, like being addicted to learning makes you unable to actually learn, because you get over-excited? Or is that just me?

C.M. Humphries link

3/24/2013 05:06:57 pm

Roxana,

That's an interesting thought. I think the main concern is either a) worrying about learning too much or b) learning too much to want to accomplish goals.

Hannah

8/17/2013 06:43:59 am

I feel the same way!! I start reading about something, and then I feel like I'm bursting at the seams with curiosity, and I go on learning binges and I end up spending hours on Wikipedia and shutting people out because they distract me. But then I get so excited that I just become overwhelmed and tired. It's so strange.

leon

1/6/2018 12:18:07 am

me too

Teresa

4/7/2013 09:53:29 am

I feel as though the only way I am truly successful is in the "classroom", I have two masters degrees that should be making me successful in the real world but I never seem to get the opportunity, now I'm thinking about what my third one should be or even my phd, knowing this is pointless but it makes me feel accomplished

C. M. Humphries

8/17/2013 06:48:30 am

Trust me, I feel the same way sometimes. I'll either getting into a learning or writing/reading binge that somehow places me in a very strange world. Usually happens if it involves an all-nighter.

Jamie

8/21/2013 04:35:20 pm

Wow, I am so glad I'm not alone in my thirst for knowledge. Teresa shares the same problem as I. I always say I will never stop learning because I love it so much. Another problem I have with jobs, is similar to getting bored. I can learn anything, therefor can do about any job. I found I can perfect whatever I am doing in a short period of time. It is then that I get bored. I learn, perfect, then am bored and ready for challenge. So I do great at every job I've had. I've never been fired but I do quit often. I'm thinking I need to find a career I'm passionate about that has endless oppertunities for growth and expansion.

Carson link

3/16/2014 07:37:18 am

I've had this problem as well. I actually chose a career (documentary filmmaking) that allows me to jump from topic to topic. I find myself learning a great deal about subjects for a particular topic, and just as I get bored, I'm on to the next. Project-based work can feed your cravings. Other jobs that can feed this appetite for new topics could be: Editing, copywriting, web development (freelance), consulting (for business), journalism, legal work, and filmmaking.

2/27/2014 01:52:17 am

My addiction actually brought me here because I was curious to know if anyone else has a problem staying up all night reading books, wikis, blogs just to feed curiosity about random somewhat pointless subjects such as this one. That has to be a sign.

2/27/2014 09:26:22 am

I would gamble to say there are more people that feel the same away, although I admit I once thought I was one of few.

Mark

3/26/2014 12:46:08 pm

I'm finishing my 2nd masters this semester and I'm not excited at all. Lately, I have found myself downloading all kinds of a journal articles from my university's online library because soon my unfettered access. Perhaps I have to information hoarding issues, in addition to learning addiction.

Julie Pearl

6/7/2016 09:08:48 am

Information hoarding issues. Yes, that. Every time I want to learn something new. Always, I download a ton of books about it even if there's a chance that I won't be able to read them all because after a few days of binging I'll eventually get bored and stop all together. Also, I can't bring myself to delete all the stuff I've downloaded. It felt like a treasure. I had to buy an external hard drive to store more information.

justin

6/12/2014 03:32:43 pm

I am running multiple different types of browsers

Diego

7/12/2014 06:30:26 pm

I was searching about "adicción a aprender" in Spanish, but I didn't find enough information, then i searched in English and i find this(is good to know other language), very good article, i was feeling the same, I've learned a lot of things just for fun, like instruments, math, physics and also still learning more languages.

keep learning!

Mae link

10/14/2014 01:21:52 am

OMG, It hit me today that I might have a problem (first step) because I learn about almost at least 5 different things in day! :( So i decided to do some 'research' on the subject. It can start with a simple youtube video or post somewhere, which spirals into google searches, documentaries, articles,books, more documentaries and more articles, blogs and so on.. My head feels so tired sometimes, which is understandable - The perks are that I can communicate on many subjects with many cultures and age groups - but apart of me tells me to stop while i am still 'slightly' sane hahaha! HELP lol - at least I am not alone ;)

Andy

10/25/2014 01:28:10 am

Staying away from Wikipedia is key for focus and to avoid frustration. Legitimate courses from reputable institutions! Avoid youtube and other quick internet sources, dealing in cheap dangerous knowledge, please, that stuff is mostly JUNK...bad for you.

Claudio Fernando Maciel

1/27/2015 03:08:19 am

I just had a blast, when at the end of the text you mentioned that I might have multiple browsers opened! LOL!

At this moment, while writing this comment, I have a few tabs opened for Language learning ( Farsi ), some for the more technical stuff I do at work, which are also for learning some subjects I must in order to get some specific tasks done. And some, also technical but strictly for fun, about electronics, and ham radio stuff.

Oh, yeah, and prior to that, I just just checking out how a sextant, and a sundial compass are supposed to work.

Yeah, I guess I'm addicted to learning.

Sintara

4/15/2015 09:59:14 am

A two years old article and still being read :), so many people that are alike. Guess this made me less lonely, oh and "Hi there".

This hunger for knowledge has only became worse for me over the past years and now it's starting to show in my kids.

It will circle around and get more strings attached everytime something new appears, sometimes even old ideas will pop up and get new modern aspects.

Thank you for this article.

abel

4/24/2016 08:11:05 pm

mmmm,gud staff indeed lookin at the fact that am startin my 1st year in electrical engeneerin

Alex

4/27/2016 09:50:17 am

This is pretty much me, I have been this way since I was child. I believed that with information I could always make better decisions than if I was completely in the dark about life choices. While it has served me well and kept me open minded, the cons are people, even very intelligent ones, thinking you are too cerebral and don't know when to take a break. My mind is always on, and I am learning that might get in the way of emotional intimacy.

5/10/2016 10:00:38 pm

Still getting the replies from over here, amazing! Well if anyone wants to add me I am pretty sure you will be able to find me somehow... Greetz, Sintara

Kimberly

2/18/2017 01:11:18 am

I literally do just this. I can start working at a random job and I love it when I'm forced to take in new information, but as soon as I feel like I know what I am doing, I feel like I am dying inside.. I spend so many hours researching and learning the ins and outs of detailed information that I may potentially never need to use- just for the thrill. When I am unable to be alone and learn about something during a day, I literally get anxiety and start to feel sad and become angry that I can't have alone time.

A random person that found this on google

1/15/2018 08:28:49 pm

When you are locked in a skinner box, self-motivating yourself to always keep studying and being the best motherfucker in town, it feels good. It feels good for my ego that I have more knowledge in a subject than others, feels good that people look for me asking guidance, feels good to apply these knowledges to play the piano, develop computer programs, build flutes and feel PRODUCTIVE.

Ego and the joy of learning can be something really addictive.

Faith

9/19/2019 07:46:39 pm

I have this problem, although I've never really thought of it as a problem until today. Every time I get on my laptop to do homework, I end up researching more about the topic and then go off onto tangents which can last for hours, and the HW still isn't done. I have gotten better with using my knowledge instead of always trying to consume more and that has made my mind feel happier.

I think it comes from a sense of inadequacy. I have always been praised for my good grades and learning more has always been positively rewarded. I can't remember ever being rewarded or encouraged to actual USE my knowledge. It wasn't til I got into the workforce I realized I needed to do this and realized I have no skill whatsoever in that. I was used to being good at all the things I did (mostly school and sports) and it was really hard to have so much trouble in the work world. This caused me to start thinking there was something wrong with me and maybe I wasn't smart like I thought, which pushed me to want to learn more and more until I felt smart enough. This was a vicious cycle that destroyed my self esteem and I got lost in depression and anxiety for many years. Ironically, I used my ability to learn things to figure out why I was depressed and anxious and started changing things. It worked and now I enjoy my life most of the time, but am still digging myself out of that hole to some degree.