Are We All Just Bored Because of Instagram and Stuff?
How do we get bored so quickly?
*This post is as much about young people as about all of us who are not Gen Z – it affects all of us
So, there's this thing, right? Our whole "I'm bored" thing? It's all changing, and guess who's to blame? Yep, media! So, these smarty-pants guys, Adam Gasly and Larry Rosen, reckon we're all getting way too used to these quick little bursts of fun from our screens. Like, you know when you nail that level on Candy Crush? Or when your latest selfie gets a ton of likes? Yep, that's the stuff.
And it's not just messing with us at home, oh no! It's sneaking into our work and school lives too. We're all trying to do a million things at once, switching between tasks like crazy, and guess what? It's making us bored!
What does the research says about getting bored?
Some brain boxes at Kent State University found out that people who use their phones loads are way more likely to get bored and then guess what they do? Reach for their phones! And then there's these guys at the University of Waterloo, who found out that when we're bored, time slows right down. Like a minute feels like forever!
Here's what we can do about it:
1. Put the phone down: Next time you're bored, instead of reaching for your phone, try doing something a bit more, you know, meaningful. You'd be amazed at what you can come up with!
2. Take a chill pill: Just stop for a moment, take a breath, and think. You'll be surprised at what you can dream up when you're not constantly distracted.
3. One thing at a time: Forget juggling a million tasks, just focus on one thing and you'll get way more done and be less bored!
Are we all just becoming slaves to our screens, unable to enjoy anything that doesn't give us that instant hit?
….. Well, we all know that! Young people know it too, but how to change it?
Prohibition and education don’t work. Shall we seriously consider something smarter?
Technology (social media) creates problems could it also offer a SOLUTION? No, none of the crude “parental control devices”! We need to give young people an engaging, but mindful experience where they can slow their minds and reflect.
We believe that VR can close this circle - VR not as gaming, but VR as a conduit to real life away from gaming and social media overload. We need to turn around the tools that created problems to fix them whilst creating more opportunities, fun and inspiration.
Young people (all of us) strive for mastery and fulfilment (that’s why computer games are so attractive to them). There are emerging tools that could use these two powerful forces in more constructive ways. By taking away mindless games we need to have something instead - equally fulfilling. We may have it!
#Boredom #InstagramLife #ChillOut
For sure, there’s a lot more to think about and talk about, so let’s share and create a Voix Guide together, and find out what’s important for YOU.
