The Warning Signs of Computer Dad Syndrome
September 23rd, 2014 by Benj EdwardsDuring the 1980s, a debilitating disease broke out among white middle-class nuclear families across the United States. Fathers everywhere were seen awkwardly encouraging their children during regular activities — often while playing video games or using personal computers.
Thirty years later, doctors have finally identified this malady as Computer Dad Syndrome (or “CDS” for short), which manifests itself in spontaneous episodes of uncomfortably becoming someone’s dad for the duration of a photography shoot.
Diagnosis of this condition is contingent upon the appearance of three or more of the following symptoms.
Clutching of the upper arm
Grasping of the shoulder
Extraneous handsomeness
Excessive sweater usage (sweaterphilia)
Incongruous appearance of pleasure
Buffoonery
Forced bicycle use
Gratuitous pointing
Diminished alertness
Difficultly focusing
Crotch wrangling
Hallucinations
Appearing generally non-related
What to Do If you Have CDS
If you or someone you love is afflicted with this disease, immediately cease all photographic activities and contact the National Computer Dad Syndrome Hotline at 1-800-NOT-DAAD. Together we can spread awareness of this debilitating syndrome, hopefully preventing its spread to future generations.
September 23rd, 2014 at 10:52 pm
Hilarious collection of images. Thanks!
September 24th, 2014 at 1:16 am
2 of those families could afford robots to try and replace their afflicted fathers. Do RBX5 & Hero 1 have parenting add-ons?
September 24th, 2014 at 6:49 am
Hilarious. Thanks Benj.
I love the cheesiness of those forced shots of families enjoying computers/video games in the 80s. They seemed to be on the back of nearly every console box.
September 24th, 2014 at 4:41 pm
It’s interesting looking back at the marketing ploys, such as implying computer usage will entail full family participation.
September 25th, 2014 at 6:49 am
My main question is “Who the heck puts an oscilloscope in their living room?”
September 28th, 2014 at 10:34 pm
with so many futuristic tech in their livingroom, no wonder they don’t care about the football game on tv!! (sweaterphilia)
October 9th, 2014 at 4:38 pm
In the photo featuring the oscilloscope in the living room (pretty damn odd already), wharevthe model numbers of each of those items sans TV?