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Why You Need to Be Bored

journeyofideas.substack.com · 2,324 words · saved by 1 readers

Have you noticed that these days, whenever people go idle—even for just a few seconds —they instantly reach for their phones? It’s like they can’t help themselves. In terms of functionality, the smartphone is a wonderful development; it has created a whole new economy and has also been a game-changer in developing countries. We basically have the entire world in our pocket: infinite information, news, instant connectivity with billions of people, and unlimited entertainment. I’d say it’s such an enticing, irresistible object that if Gollum were to visit our world, he would probably swap the One Ring for an iPhone. However, the smartphone has also become the most effective thief of a ‘mode of being’ that most of us avoid. I’m talking about boredom. And today’s human, the ‘homo smartphonicus’, can’t stand it. Boredom usually gets a bad rep. It’s painful. It’s something we want to get rid of as quickly as possible. Hence, whenever today’s homo smartphonicus feels the slightest boredom, he

Why You Need to Be Bored A Philosophical Exploration Einzelgänger Oct 31, 2025 18 5 Share “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” Blaise Pascal Have you noticed that these days, whenever people go idle—even for just a few seconds —they instantly reach for their phones? It’s like they can’t help themselves. In terms of functionality, the smartphone is a wonderful development; it has created a whole new economy and has also been a game-changer in developing countries. We basically have the entire world in our pocket: infinite information, news, inst

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