Next episode playing in 15 seconds, 14, 13, 12... How many times have we seen these fateful words and done nothing more than wait till Netflix' prophecy is fulfilled? Then, three hours later, there comes the inevitable panic attack over your essay or homework assignment due by midnight that you haven't even touched. Let's be honest, it's happened to all of us.
Just three days ago an article was written whose title sums it all up "People Watch Netflix For More Time Per Day Than They Spend Eating Or Having Sex Combined". They studies show that while people spend on average watching Netflix for 90 minutes a day, we only dedicate a mere 70 minutes to eating. I myself have fallen into the Netflix trap on countless occasions and have felt the anxiety that comes from ignoring other important obligations with school and work. So the question must be asked: How does Netflix capture so many of us so often for so long? Why is Netflix so persuasive?
While eating, religious obligations, and school are important to all of us, Netflix is often seen as a chance to unwind, take a step away from all the craziness of life, and simply be entertained. People turn on Netflix to get away from reality, a similar reason people are so obsessed with social media as Alisa mentioned. In short, we watch Netflix because we want to. The easiest form of persuasion is when someone wants to be persuaded, someone wants to do the thing you are attempting to coerce them in. The fact that Netflix starts the next episode in 15 second helps keep us on for the full 90 minutes per day, but we are the ones who first turn on the app and grab a bowl of popcorn.
