Classic: 3 Signs You're Addicted to Learning

Ah yes, listicles.

​It's no secret that I've written plenty of 2,500-word articles with titles that begin with numbers. However, this was one of my earliest lists and one I still enjoy to this day.

What I find most interesting about 3 Signs You're Addicted to Learning is how it aged. Back in 2013, I couldn't quite see what all this meant (sorry for being vague but no spoilers), but in 2022... well, you'll see.

It was originally published under The Forbidden Blog where it continued to be visited and commented on for years. Check it out, and thanks for reading!

- CMH

Homage to The Forbidden Blog

3 SIGNS YOU'RE
ADDICTED
​TO LEARNING 

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."

#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.