What is boredom?
The other day I was talking with a friend about whether animals get bored … we often see horses standing for hours, alone in the same spot, for instance … and the question got me to thinking: What actually IS boredom?
Sure, most of us can use the word “boredom” in conversation and whatever we mean by it is similar enough that we understand each other. But boredom is not a concrete object; we are all describing our subjective experience.
What is it?
Perhaps boredom is a moment of inaction between active moments.
Maybe boredom is disengagement from action.
Expectation with inaction.
Dissatisfaction without expectation?
Dissatisfaction WITH expectation?
It would appear that satisfaction and expectation are mutually exclusive.
The way we often talk about boredom seems to require two facets: either action or inaction, AND how I feel about that. Most of us have said “I’m bored” while doing something we didn’t want to — and likewise, while not doing something we do want to.
So, perhaps boredom just requires one thing — dissatisfaction with the present moment. Then again, you can be dissatisfied without boredom.
And what about the animals? The horse that stands in the corner of the paddock for hours, munching grass and watching the world pass?
I would suggest most animals do not get bored because they don’t experience metacognition. Basically, they don’t reflect on their knowledge of their experience. But even this is debatable, as scientists say some species of animals do seem to have the capability for self-reflection.
One of my favorite things is simply sitting quietly. Feeling the body, ignoring the mind. There is no boredom, only aware resting. And yet, at a certain point I stand up.
Did I get bored and not realize it?
Can you be dissatisfied with peace?
