The economic system we live in does everything to make sure that we have a fragmented consciousness. Everything in our way of life makes us incapable of tolerating boredom, incapable of concentrating deeply, dependent on stimuli, and bad at silent contemplation.
But at the same time, it’s an economic system that punishes people who are incapable of tolerating boredom, incapable of concentrating deeply, are dependent on stimuli, and are bad at silent contemplation. Economic rewards accrue to those who can resist the fragmentation of their thought process.
Here’s an easy exercise to defragment our brains. As you stand in line at the grocery store or wait at a dentist’s, don’t whip out your phone at the first touch of boredom. Boredom is good. It’s your friend. Every victory over the impulse to treat quietness and boredom as sources of anxiety defragments our consciousness.
“don’t whip out your phone at the first touch of boredom”
Oh the irony…. I first read this on a streetcar I’d gotten on to go a grand total of two stops….
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“How could you?” said I, as I read the comment at the grocery checkout.
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Reply to “Defragment”
I have never understood why people claim to be bored, ever. There are so many fascinating ideas to contemplate, and not only about mathematics.
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When my kids whine about boredom, I tell them that’s their problem, not mine 😉
Bored people are boring people.
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