And it has ruined my productivity and work etiquette to such an extent that I lose endless hours of sleep worrying about the likely outcome of the next episode of my favorite shows.
It all started rather quietly when I discovered that Netflix was actually available through my Foxtel link.
I’d heard about it, but it never actually watched it. The movies were mostly Hollywood rubbish made to suit delinquents interested in super heroes and monsters from Mars.
This all changed during the first week of lockdown when I found a link to well-known shock-horror series “The Tiger King”.
Around 1pm on Monday afternoon I switched on the first episode and was immediately hypnotized by the antics of one Joe Exotic and his arch nemesis, the equally eccentric Carole Baskin,
The first episode was like settling down for a quiet drink as we learnt about the ‘stars’ of the series framed by the superb Big Cats.
Now, Netflix has a way of leaving you dangling between episodes like to old movie serials we used to watch at the local Cinema every Saturday morning.
I watched the next six episodes one after the other which took me beyond midnight when you take into consideration meal breaks and family matters.
And so it has been ever since. I start watching a series and I have to watch them all one after the other- The Keepers, Murder Investigations, Below Deck, Aussie Gold Hunters, Sports Frauds, Murder Mountain- the list goes on and on.
Then I began watching foreign language docos which had subtitles which are hard to read when you are trying to concentrate on the images.
Workwise, it meant a lot less sleep, watching TV into the wee small hours and then trying to start work at 5am. Some afternoons, I was watching the telly instead of working.
And it seems I wasn’t only one to suffer from this terrible affliction.
Netflix and its impact on workplaces and productivity across the country has been recognised as a national problem.
According to CEO of Workspaces Jenny Folley, Netflix and binge-watching addiction, is affecting many people including key personnel.
Ms Folley in her report said:
Many people became hooked on Netflix during the pandemic.
Most bingers will watch up to six shows at a time.
People are now watching during work hours, while at work and at home.
The syndrome 'Nextflixitis' is impacting productivity.
Workers and workplaces need to urgently address the issue.
The quickest and simplest way to do it is to turn off the Netflix link and not to wander the airwaves looking for shows to watch.
That’s what I have done, but also have been diagnosed with chronic ‘Foxitis’ , brought about by watching to much sport at all hours of the night and in the early morning.
At least I have gained a little education during the process with Judge Judy and The Peoples Court giving me excellent legal advice.
