How Social Media Boredom Fuels Destructive Behaviours

by bernt & torsten

Throughout history, boredom has been a universal experience we have continually sought to alleviate. Initially, reading books served as a primary escape from monotony. As time progressed, cable TV became a popular pastime. Today, our constant companions are mobile phones. However, unlike its predecessors, the use of mobile phones introduces a more persistent problem of enduring boredom.

History shows us that the ebb and flow of information has always held power, but never more so than in our current digital epoch. Thanks to the omnipresence of mobile phones and the algorithm-driven worlds they usher us into, the flow of information is potent and pervasive. Politicians, influencers, and groups now exploit this ceaseless stream to mold public perception and influence beliefs, even when the stories they promote are elaborate fabrications. In such an environment, the resonance of these false narratives compels individuals to support political figures who, once in power, dismantle the very social safety nets designed to protect society. The manipulation of informational flows thus not only shapes ideology but also redistributes power, revealing a darker underbelly of our age of connectivity.

The time necessary to feel bored in the past provided a fertile ground for creativity and attention. But now, endless scrolling through platforms like TikTok and YouTube has been thought to make boredom obsolete. Contrary to this belief, recent studies have shown that these activities can exacerbate feelings of boredom. Indeed, reaching for a phone while waiting in a queue or riding a bus often leaves the brain in a restless limbo, quieting thoughts under a static hum.

Changing times have flipped the script on what was considered tedious – watching others’ travel slides or home videos was once deemed the apex of dullness, yet now, many find themselves doing exactly that. Paradoxically, despite many distractions, we are more bored today than ever. This irony is woven into the fabric of modern existence: despite our loathing of boredom, much of what we plan to do consists of mundane, unstimulating tasks.

 

 

Human beings naturally gravitate towards purpose, peril, and social interaction. Yet, the world we are building increasingly excludes these elements. It is a natural impulse to aim for smoother, easier lives, but even our best attempts to create ideal living conditions often lead to monotonous - uniform suburbs, utopian towns with perfectly spaced houses, and wide, regular avenues contribute to a bland existence. Stimulation is crucial for human happiness; without it, people either stand about uncomfortably or rush through repetitive, dull environments.

Interestingly, a painting of Odysseus on an unchanging island paradise highlights a fundamental truth: boredom can persist even in the most blissful, eternal settings. Though seldom discussed as a modern problem, boredom is a dangerous emotion. Unlike anger, which can be appeased through apologies or resolution, boredom seeks drama with no particular endpoint, making it difficult to erase—and potentially triggering irrational behaviours.

 

 

In infamous experiments, individuals preferred to give themselves electric shocks over sitting quietly with their thoughts for just 15 minutes. This is a visceral testament to boredom's unpleasantness, prompting almost any action to dispel it. Similarly, stories of restless animals pacing their cages resonate deeply with human experiences. Even online platforms have capitalized on this, harnessing boredom to provoke emotional chaos.

Today's digital age has made provocative behaviour far too familiar, like a child pressing elevator buttons simply for amusement. The resulting dangers range from mundane frustration to severe societal issues like populism and racial hatred. Long-term political boredom has even contributed to drastic shifts in the United States, hinting at a larger midlife crisis.

 

 

With its safety and convenience, modern life harbours an underlying danger - pervasive, chronic boredom. While the solution remains elusive, one thing is clear: managing boredom is far from new, but its modern manifestations demand our urgent attention.