"I'm bored."
It seems like that is the most overused phrase in American culture today. You'd think that 21st century teens could find SOMETHING to do. But, sure enough, I hear these words muttered every day at least two or three times. MySpace bulletins on the weekend, especially surveys, are often given titles such as: "So Boredddd" or something similar. (Using multiple letters like I just did is a pet peeve of mine ... I hate it quite terribly).
I remember when I was younger being told by my parents the hours of fun they had outside as children. I look outside and my lack of imagination sees a river, a forest, and a road that seems to go on forever to nowhere. Yet my parents tell me of the hours they spent in surroundings much similar to mine (and in my father's case, exactly the same surroundings). Of course it didn't hurt that both of my parents had large families. Whenever you have a handful of siblings and a couple handfuls of siblings respectively, it's easy to find someone to do something with. Growing up, the closest kid lived several miles away, and I seldom left home.
I, too, suffer from constant boredom. If not for the wonderful world of music and other entertainments, I'm quite sure I would have gone mad long ago. Then again, a nice walk in the woods or even a walk around the house is quite nice. The air is clean, the scenery is great, and the weather (except as of late) is usually quite nice.
Maybe if today's teens didn't have television, computers, or cellphones, they might be able to make better use of their time. I respect that not all teens live their lives dedicated to these things, which is good as they have escaped the madness. But, for the majority that do, a good walk in the woods might do them some good. Not only is it relaxing, it's a good chance to think. So I guess my advice to everyone is to go for a walk in the woods. Corny? Maybe so. But I've done it, and it's actually quite nice.
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4 comments:
Yo, thanks.
I agree with you. I feel like I haven't been bored in years, and the people who are bored apparently never read or write or think, but are only craving social interaction that they use as an alternative to the aforementioned things. That is a lonely, dependent life, and I'm glad I can entertain myself by something like drawing my feet in as much detail as possible. It's funnn.
Come on, Spencer, using multiple letters makes you cool, just like throwing the letter x into words or taking out vowels.
Alright, I'm going to school. I'll see what I can find with the Scanner on my way.
We used the bosom of nature to conduct simulated warfare: wooden toy guns in the winter (they don't break in the cold) and water guns in the summer. We dug trenches and built forts. Computers were largely reserved for playing Mathblaster and Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego after school. Cell phones were attached to cars and required suitcase-sized batteries. Modems made hilarious noises.
I think there are different kinds of boredom. I get a lonely boredom if I'm spending too much time alone, and a tense, claustrophobic boredom from spending too much time with the same people in the same place.
A walk in the woods is a good suggestion, though. Cholorphyll green sooths the eyes and mind, and the self-referential, fractally organized structure of trees and ferns can put our modern purgatory in the proper perspective.
I mean soothes.
Nice blog, Spencer! I have to disagree with you on a few things though. I don't agree with the "technology is making us bored" idea. I understand how it can give you something to do, but for some people it gets boring fast. Take a nerd (like me) and put me in the woods, void of all technology. Soon I'll be bashing my head on the nearest piece of wood I can find. Whereas, take an athlete who loves going outside and they can easily find something to do, whereas they might get bored on a computer. It all lies in interests. However, that doesn't mean they still can't get bored with doing the things they love. After all, there is that phrase "Too much of a good thing can be a bad thing." Doing repeated activities can get people bored, but then we search for that one next thing to do. Some people have a harder time finding "that one thing" and will let other people know by saying "I'm bored" hoping for a suggestion, opportunity, or even a conversation. Anyway, that's just what I think. But I'm no good with this kind of thing. See ya Spencer!
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