Forget about overstimulation, that’s simply impossible now. A lack of excitement from overuse can be cured for only $0.99. There’s millions of new apps waiting to be downloaded in seconds so you will never have to experience boredom again. We've gone beyond overstimulation, now we're over-overstimulated.
The real danger lies in the absence of once idle times. Some of our most significant thoughts are produced at these moments. I believe we are most creative and imaginative when we are forced to rely solely on our minds. Simple reflection of our surroundings remind us that we are part of something bigger and more important than ourselves and the image we portray in the social media world. Contemplation assesses our relationships with those we care about, or issues that we hold dearly to our hearts. Can you imagine how people must behave without these precious, yet unappreciated moments? Probably not, because you’re too preoccupied deciding whether to tweet your opinion on this topic, and, just so you know, your proudest life moments won’t come from the number of retweets you receive.
-Brittani Pedersen
This is my favorite post so far that I Have read on this blog. You hit a lot of valid points and bring to everyone's mind the lack of contemplation and stillness we use to have. Everything is instant, and every moment is suppose to be filled with something, anything. It's really difficult to get back to taking things slowly when everything else has sped up, but I think your reminder will help many see that slowing down is needed. - Daniel
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with this. During high school, I lived very close to campus, so I liked to walk home from school every day (since I had early release) and these fifteen-minute walks every day gave me plenty of time to think. Furthermore, I would walk my dog almost every night for about 40 minutes. With all this walking time, I spent a significant chunk of my day just thinking about things going on in my life, and I can honestly say that I benefitted from this greatly.
ReplyDeleteHowever, now that I'm in college and I'm not walking my dog and the walk to and from classes is like 30 seconds long, I'm way too busy and don't put time into my day to just think about stuff. It feels as if an important function in my life is absent now that I don't have a section of my day where I can just stop and think.
I've always been a firm believer that we all need our quiet time away from any type of social networking or communicative device. The boredom that is caused by being away from those objects is exactly what is needed to have the best ideas. I'm guilty myself of being bored or uncomfortable during dinner or between classes and whipping out my phone to check Facebook. However, I do take my alone time far away from my phone so I can reflect and think.
ReplyDeleteBrittani, I really like how you put this. My favorite part was: "you’re too preoccupied deciding whether to tweet your opinion on this topic, and, just so you know, your proudest life moments won’t come from the number of retweets you receive." We have so many options to share that we become obsess with that, and even more with the reaction and feedback we get from what we share.
ReplyDeleteIts like having all these options for entertaining makes us need stimulation all the time. Its hard to see how many times people in social gatherings just end up sitting around each other paying more attention to their laptops and smart phones instead of each other. I have to admit I do it as well, guess I better work on that.
Brittani, I really enjoyed your post primarily because you have thought outside of the box when other people are just going with the flow of trending topics and technology. It really is true that we are not as creative because other things are constantly placed in front of us for us to use or judge. We must all be more creative and begin to think for ourselves. Thank You for reminding us that!
ReplyDeleteThis is so true! Before college I had so much time where I would be myself to think and relax and sometimes just be really bored. But it was ok to be bored. I truly believe being bored is one of the most important things in life, because it makes you appreciate all the good things so much more. In college I am constantly busy with school, swim practices, homework, and friends. It's like I never have time to be bored because things are constantly happening and I don't have time to just sit down and relax.
ReplyDeleteI find it funny that while reading this I literally do every single thing you wrote about while I'm killing time. If I am at a stoplight i check my Instagram, if its the grocery store i scroll my timeline. It really has gotten to the point where boredom is becoming extinct. Everywhere you go, anytime you're not busy, all you have to do is pull out your phone and you have enough entertainment to last a lifetime. I completely agree with this post and really enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDeleteJust the other day,I had a very similar experience to what you are talking about. I was in the waiting room for my doctors appointment when my phone died. For about a year now, I've had my iPhone to distract me from moments like that, so it felt strange having to just sit there and think. I got a lot of good thinking done in that little waiting room, and now I make an effort to keep the phone in my pocket during the day so I can have more moments like that. Great post!
ReplyDeleteIn a way i think it is kind of said that we rely on technology as much as we do. I actually wish i was not one of these tech heads who would hop on his phone while walking to class, but unfortunately i do. I guess sometimes you may be doing something productive. I do miss the days of not having a phone and resorting to thinking to myself and day dreaming while i was bored. Sounds crazy, but i miss boredom?
ReplyDeleteI'll admit that it is unfortunate how much we call upon technology to get us through the day, but that is why I think individuals should have a handle on the way they use their personal technology. I think everyone spends more time indulged in their phones because of the apathy the human race is slowly moving towards as a society. Currently, it seems as though society is far more interested in worrying about their house on home design story instead of their actual careers and families. Everyone seems so afraid to feel anything anymore, so technology seems like the easiest resort.
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right. I find myself always on my phone when it comes a point in my life where I am bored. But in my opinion this is kind of a good thing. Back when I was younger and even before my time when people are bored they get into a lot of trouble. So in a way technology has help to decrease bad things happening in the world. Though I say this it is not the case for everyone. People use technology as a distraction as well. I do not miss being bored and not having anything to keep me occupied during that boredom.
ReplyDeleteI was just discussing this last night at dinner. Even though my friend and I were right next to each other, we both had our phones out and were playing Words with Friends, and I was checking my Facebook in between turns. We looked around and everyone else had their phone's out too. My friend asked, "What did people do before phones?"
ReplyDeleteIt bummed me out to think I'm just another member of this generation that buys into this stuff. So last night I read book instead of going online, and this morning I did not wake up and automatically check my phone, but I grabbed a notebook instead and started writing. I ended up writing something I was very pleased with! Technology is an awesome thing and I still plan to fully take advantage of it, but I need to remind myself to set aside some time and go outdoors, take a walks, write, think.
I totally understand what you mean. I know once when I was with a good friend of mind I invited him to go on a picnic in the mountains. Of course there would be no texting etc up there so he was totally lost as to what to do. So many people in our generation don't know how to just BE. which is why I make it a point to take periodic breaks from technology. Its amazing the things you discover when you're not huddled in a corner on your computer. I love this blog cause it is so true. But I doubt many people will take the advice. If it doesn't happen on facebook or twitter, they have no idea its going on. From birthdays to significant events. Sad but true, sometimes I think I was born in the wrong generation.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. Without even realizing it, I'll be on my phone. It seems as though in today's society, social media has become a crutch. People rely on it way too much, myself included. If I'm walking somewhere late at night by myself, you can be sure I'm going to pull my phone out and either call someone or check out facebook. However, I also try to have time for just myself; no phones, no iPods, no computers. Whenever I'm home and I walk to the beach down the street from me, I don't bring anything with me so I can sit on the rocks and just think. I feel like everyone should have time like this for themselves.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you 100%. Technology has is overrunning our lives along with our mind. It’s sad to see that our society has turned to video games and social networks to cure boredom. What ever happened to going for a run or just hanging out with your friends?
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