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Rav Moshe is very strict about this.

Stack Exchange has a points system, equivalent to "likes" on other platforms. This system has been demonstrated to be highly addictive as we get a dopamine rush every time we get a like1

So, would Rav Moshe be opposed to us participating in Mi Yodeya? Is there any mitigation because it is a cause of increased Torah learning?


1 eg Lindström, B., Bellander, M., Chang, A., Tobler, P.N., & Amodio, D.M. (2019). A computational reinforcement learning account of social media engagement. PsyArXiv, for one such study out of many

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    I'm tempted to upvote but don't want to exacerbate the problem.
    – shmosel
    Jan 18 at 3:14
  • 2
    But on a serious note, the question makes no sense to me. The problem with addiction is that it takes you away from important things we're supposed to be doing. If you're addicted to learning, how is that a bad thing? Unless you conisder this not learning but a waste of time, in which case the addictiveness is beside the point.
    – shmosel
    Jan 18 at 3:16
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    I propose a middle case. It's not a waste of time but it's not the best use of one's learning time, and is only considered appropriate in small amounts. Therefore, the addictiveness might cause a person to engage with it more than is healthy or appropriate.
    – Rabbi Kaii
    Jan 18 at 3:19
  • P'sachim 50b: "אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב לְעוֹלָם יַעֲסוֹק אָדָם בְּתוֹרָה וּמִצְוֹת אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁלֹּא לִשְׁמָהּ שֶׁמִּתּוֹךְ שֶׁלֹּא לִשְׁמָהּ בָּא לִשְׁמָהּ".
    – Fred
    Jan 18 at 3:24
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    @shmosel any addiction is bad, even learning. You may be ignoring other things you may need to do, such as taking care of your family, or maybe even eating.
    – Harel13
    Jan 18 at 4:08

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