Boredom: An Ethical Quagmire

Boredom is, I think, the most common affliction among modern students. School is boring, homework is boring, and so on. Rarely do we find something inspiring and, as a result, rarely are we happy.

There are some great stories about the problem of stagnation and while I don't believe that it's ever possible to really come to a complete stop, but I know that some moments are more inspiring than others, and I know that we can't always be filled up, or change the course of history like the March on Washington.

The real problem, though, is how do I address boredom?

There are people who tell you that you have to work. You just do. Why? Because you do.

There are reasons to get good grades and reasons to make money, which justifies the boredom in some degree, but can't the boredom be removed? Can't we be productive and happy? Or is what Twain had to say in Pudd'n'head Wilson pretty much right, that we have to do what we'd rather not.

I have always stood firm behind the belief that if something is boring you, then you should look for a way to make it interesting, or question whether or not it is really important for you to be doing it at all. Sometimes the conclusions will get you into trouble. My dad, of course, has never been happy when I've decided that homework is often a waste of time.

The point, though, is not to replace boredom with nothing. Don't fill the void with T.V. for the sake of T.V. (it can be great if you're watching something you care about). Don't use this as an excuse to escape work because you're lazy. This is really where it devolves to the honor system.

Do something that is going to make you think. Watch something that is going to make you think about anything. Download a TED talk that looks interesting or surf youtube looking for videos that expand your brain (whether it's your musical taste or your understanding of science). Link your way through wikipedia articles on physics or history.

Sam Harris talks about changing your moment-to-moment perception of the universe, and that's what we should be shooting for.

If you're bored, like I am, try to fundamentally change the way you think about everything. Trust me, it's a lot of fun.