When former seven-term U.S. Representative Anthony Weiner (D-NY) was run out of office on a rail a couple of years ago, his career and reputation shattered by a sexting scandal, he went out and did exactly what any addict who’s not yet hit rock would do: He lied to his friends and loved ones, and he continued engaging in the exact same behavior that had just induced his professional demise and public humiliation.
And like any addict, Weiner probably meant it when he said he was sorry, and on some level he probably really did want to stop. But he didn’t. Instead, like so many others, he failed to recognize his addiction as such, and he continued to engage in risky and hurtful behavior.
Instead of being honest with himself, Anthony Weiner learned how to tell better lies to others. And one of the ways he did that was by coming up with his now notorious Nom de Sext: Carlos Danger.
The name of course is quite amazing, and has become an instant internet meme. For me, it immediately drew to mind NFL Quarterback Michael Vick, who had once hidden behind the name Ron Mexico while getting treated for herpes. Yes, before Vick was known as the guy who tortured and mutilated dogs, he was the guy who gave a woman The Herp without telling her and then got sued for it. Court papers revealed his equally bizarre sexual pseudonym.
But beyond the excruciating qualities of creative nomenclature, what strikes me about the resurgent Weiner fiasco is just how much his behavior mirrors what I’ve noticed about texting in general, even the sexless variety: It really does
seem like, at least in some cases, to be classic addictive behavior. It seems that some people really cannot help themselves.
I’m hardly the first person to discuss this. Google the phrase “texting addiction articles” and you’ll get well over 600,000 hits. But it’s not just the popular press that’s discussing this issue. There’s actual research. One study notes that, when indulged to excess, texting can lead to, “disrupted sleep, to carpel tunnel syndrome, distraction from the cognitive or social task at hand, or clinical addiction.”
In my classrooms I have a “No Electronics” policy. No laptops, no tablets, no phones, or any other high-tech gadgets. I call it the Tray Tables and Seat Backs in Their Upright Position policy. Turn everything off. All of it. I also inform students in no uncertain terms, both verbally and in writing, that I have a zero tolerance policy. Do it, and I’m throwing you out.
Such stern approaches usually work very well as preventative measures on most issues, especially since I don’t take or require attendance. However, the texters are still indulging. Over the last few years I’ve found myself tossing more and more students out of class.
I spot them staring down at their lap, offering the tell tale posture and gaze, and I confront them. Then I often give them the old heave-ho. Usually, they are mighty embarrassed by this, the entire class staring at them as they pack up and leave the room.
Yet, the behavior continues.
Though I do have substantial personal experience observing addiction in others, I have no actual training on the subject. I’m a historian, not a psychologist or psychiatrist. So I’m not offering any formal decrees, just my own, somewhat informed, anecdotal evidence.
But based on that, it’s no surprise to me that Anthony Weiner defied all reason, continued to take ridiculous risks, inevitably got caught, and has now punted away not only his Congressional career, but most likely his political comeback, as we watch his New York City mayoral bid go up in smoke.
It seems, as with any addict who has yet to come to terms with his addiction, he just couldn’t help himself. To me he should step down from the race not because he’s an immoral philanderer (though that’s a good reason too) but because he seems like an undiagnosed addict.