Boredom | V1
How would you like to this post—should we make it more philosophical , or perhaps add more practical tips for a digital fast?
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Kashdan, T. B., & Ciarrochi, J. (2013). Mindfulness, acceptance, and positive psychology: The seven foundations of well-being. New Harbinger Publications.
Boredom can be defined as a state of low arousal, low motivation, and low interest in one's surroundings or activities (Berlyne, 1960). There are several types of boredom, including: boredom v1
Consider the childhood memories of some of history’s most creative minds. Albert Einstein, as a teenager, spent hours staring at the ceiling of the patent office, bored out of his mind — and in those empty moments, he began to visualize chasing a beam of light. The seeds of relativity were planted in boredom’s soil. J.K. Rowling conceived the idea of Harry Potter during a long, tedious train journey with nothing but a delayed schedule and a restless mind. The writer Rebecca Solnit has argued that walking — one of the most boredom-friendly activities — is the mother of all creative thought.
Decoding Boredom v1: The Architecture of Our Most Misunderstood Emotion
This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later. How would you like to this post—should we
[Boredom v1 Entry] ──> (Indifferent) ──> (Calibrating) ──> (Searching) ──> [Action/Creativity] │ └──> (Reactant/Apathetic) ──> [Distress/Stagnation] Why Boredom v1 is an Evolutionary Necessity
Boredom v1 is slow. It is painful. It feels like thirst.
Throughout history, humanity’s greatest leaps forward were rarely born from non-stop chaotic activity. Instead, they emerged from the spaces in between. The Engine of Creativity If you share with third parties, their policies apply
Throughout history, boredom has been viewed as a moral failing, a sign of idleness or lack of purpose. However, as our understanding of human psychology has evolved, so too has our understanding of boredom. Today, researchers recognize boredom as a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that can have both positive and negative effects on mental and physical health.
: Even classic internet mainstays are adapting to this behavior. For instance, the legendary early-internet directory Bored.com recently relaunched with a design focused on fast, human-curated browser games to catch drifting attentions.
We successfully eliminated the void. We ensured that no human ever has to sit alone with their thoughts for more than 12 seconds (the average time between unlocking a phone and opening an app).
Situations that require little cognitive effort or emotional engagement [2].
: Intentionally set aside phone-free blocks during the day, particularly during meals or right after waking up.