3 of 25

Write now Article Tools

The incident of boredom imprisons, even negates the energy and will to reach for the positive power of interest, curiosity, progress and achievement. Boredom is when time stagnates or freezes - like balancing scales waiting to tip into negative, isolating depression or positive involvement in an activity. Boredom is when living in the moment equates with monotony. The meaning of life and personal purpose seem like remote abstracts.

Charlotte Whitton declared that "Boredom is like a pitiless zooming in on the epidermis of time. Every instant is dilated and magnified like the pores of the face." Boredom is an urge to break the static macro image with active, bombarding micro images. The trouble is, in a state of boredom, it can be difficult to find the potential, the transit star gate that connects the passive and the active. A sense of blindness sets in, denying any awareness of a way out.

The incident of boredom is like a thirst, a craving for some kind of physical shock. It is like an undervalued peace longing for some drama, some war of the senses. Even a physical, unknown danger looks like a desirable alternative to bland sameness. Interestingly, there seems to be minimal desire for a spiritual solution. And often, spiritual contentment has no value or understanding anyway.

The state of boredom is a symbol of inner discontent and stress. It is a sign that a person who has let boredom take control believes that any form of happiness can only be achieved outside the self. It's a fear of being locked in to a state of "nothingness".

Sheer will power is needed to break the incident of boredom. But that will power seems to have varying levels of laudable commitment according to age group.

Teenagers are renowned for the "I'm bored" syndrome. When they announce their state of mind, it is as if they expect someone else to provide a solution. If that solution is not found, the bored teenagers can move from scenarios of frustration, to moodiness, to "sleep escape" and perhaps finally to depression. At worst, they may embark on a destructive rampage (often of property) with other like-minded teenagers. Teenage will power tends to rely on and expects instant, often temporary gratification with minimal respect for the general community.

So why is boredom a feature of the teenage world? The article "Terence Blacker: We need to wage war on teenage boredom" in the UK's "The Independent" states:
"Summer hits the bored teenager hard. The grown-ups have their holidays or their careers.

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Investigating the incident of boredom?
We want to hear your view. Write now!