The chapter sheds light on the struggles individuals face with boredom, exploring a study where participants were left alone without distractions and the option to shock themselves to escape boredom. It delves into the historical origins of boredom, the measurement through a boredom proneness scale, and how environmental cues and societal fears influence our perception of boredom. The episode also touches on the potential benefits of embracing boredom and the lessons it can teach individuals, challenging society's constant need for stimulation and over-scheduling.
Dr Laurie HATES boredom! Since childhood she's found it so painful that she'll do anything to avoid being bored. She'll watch crappy TV. She'll find extra work to do. She'll snack. But boredom is actually an incredibly useful tool to boost our happiness and creativity.
With the help of leading boredom experts, Dr Laurie learns how to embrace doing nothing and finds that in the midst of tedium our brains can come up with the most amazing breakthrough ideas.
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