The case for boredom: A love letter to slowing down
The devices we carry in our pockets are remarkable. Smartphones promise us everything: entertainment, efficiency, communication, and more. They’re not just tools; they’re multimedia machines designed to captivate and immerse. And they succeed—perhaps too well.
I recently read an article critiquing this endless stream of entertainment, arguing that our devices are eroding creativity and focus. While the author made valid points, I couldn’t help but think it goes deeper than just entertainment. Even when we use our phones for "appropriate" purposes—work, learning, or organizing our lives—they still demand something from us. Efficiency itself can be a trap.
The problem isn’t just how we use our phones; it’s the very nature of having a device that does everything. A smartphone as an all-in-one tool—what I think of as the modern Swiss Army knife—is both a marvel and a curse. It’s like trying to quit smoking while carrying a pack of cigarettes in your pocket. You might have the best intentions, but the temptation to fall back into old habits is always there, nagging, persistent.
This realization got me thinking: maybe the issue isn’t just about screen time or even what we do with our phones. Maybe it’s about having fewer tools in one device, so we’re forced to be intentional about how we spend our time. Imagine needing to switch devices to accomplish different tasks—reading on an e-reader, writing on a laptop, taking photos on a dedicated camera. Wouldn’t that naturally create moments of pause, boundaries between one activity and another?
Of course, this isn’t a call to throw all your devices into the sea (tempting as that might sound). But it is a reflection on the role our phones play in our lives. Are they helping us, or are they just keeping us busy?
At the end of the day, maybe the solution lies not in doing more or even doing better but in doing less. Less multitasking, less striving for efficiency, and more embracing the quiet moments that make life rich. Because sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is nothing at all.