Boredom Philosophized (761 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 1 on 6 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Enter The Midnight (View user info) at 2005-01-15 03:12:21 EST
Plato might say that we only experience the imitation of boredom, and that "boredom-ness" is the eternal essence of boredom. Let me counter that eternal boredom would not be something that God would invest in (in Plato's theory, God was the source of all Ideas and Essences), and that boredom must stem from something far more sinister.
Obviously boredom is something we all experience. Those of use on Uber are intimately familiar with it--otherwise BoredAtWork would not be as nearly successful as it is. We spend late night hours and long day hours surfing this site, trying to find something meaningful to do or a relief from the boredom. But unless someone has posted an absolutely fascinating story, chances are we don't find satisfaction--just a bunch of dumb things to -2.
Now that we have established why boredom is important to us, let us venture onward to define boredom itself. Boredom apparently does not reach from the higher realms into our world--it has a physical basis and this is where it stays. Some educators and parents define boredom as a state of mind, and this state of mind can easily be altered. Any child without anything to do on long winter days or any of us stuck in class or at work for hours on end knows better--there's usually NOTHING you can do to alleviate the boredom simply by changing your state of mind. Without proper external stimulation, the law of mental inertia kicks in--minds tend to stay in states of boredom, sleepiness or lack of activity unless acted on by an outside force, and then return to that state when mental gravity takes over.
Boredom is likely a force of nature--a part of life we cannot rid ourselves of, but only diminish or avoid. It is the sypmtom of our clockwork, time-based lifestyle. I imagine those who forage for food or live in dangerous areas of the world (Columbia, the ghetto, or D.C.), or who have a billion responsibilities (CEOs, presidents, etc) don't get bored very often. The masses have the boredom problem. It is what happens when we don't have any pleasures of the lower faculties to arouse, or any higher purpose to achieve with our intellect. Boredom, in of itself, is nothingness. It is a state of emptiness and purposelessness.
Now, how do we conquer boredom? If boredom is emptiness, then it must have a simple solution: filling it up. This is harder than it sounds. Using the Internet is one way, but the best way to relieve boredom in the long-term is a lifestyle change--move up in a company, take on responsibilities, learn a new hobby or craft. Immediate relief for boredom (such as at work) can be found in something you like--but if you're absolutely lacking in any resource whatsoever (except the Internet), take advantage of it. Read something of interest to you, such as getting around to finding a recipe for mouse hash.
How does a great Internet philosopher like me relieve boredom?
My AIM name is ComputerizedJosh. IM me, because I'm bored.
User Reviews
Submitted by Sherman (user info) at 2005-02-24 01:27:23 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
No Comment
Submitted by tuesdaydelay (user info) at 2005-01-15 10:22:47 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
http://stuff.ubersite.com/1105801833872125626/1/Good.jpg
Submitted by TheMidnight12AM (user info) at 2005-01-15 04:14:50 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
You met me?
I must be boring then.
Yahoo: EntertheMidnight
MSN: EntertheMidnight.at.hotmail.com
Pattern, anyone?
Submitted by blujnbbyqn (user info) at 2005-01-15 04:11:42 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
My mama always said, "Only boring people get bored."
After that I never complained of it again.
Hey you were that guy that caught my attention a month or so ago... hmmm... we meet again. Thought provocing and yet somehow scary.
Michelle
oh and no aim, sorry
Submitted by hungovermondays (user info) at 2005-01-15 03:43:29 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
dam you uber...i need to go to bed
Submitted by Shagabah_Jones (user info) at 2005-01-15 03:34:36 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
art has written a book, "the lactating" about aliens that eat human flesh (as it is a natural breath freshener) among us and the coming armegeddon.