Is boredom making us do things?

[Nehru]

Behind all the theories of needs, desires etc., is it basically boredom that's motivating us to act? Not long ago, people used to watch people getting burned at the stake as if it were an entertainment.

Even today in the civilized world, rumors, slander and gossip are common - that too is entertainment for the bored mind.

So if we observe closely, isn't it true that most of our actions are the result of boredom? Even people who complain about work - they become bored with their vacation and start working again.:laugh: It seems like boredom is our constant friend and all our efforts - work, recreation, whatever - seem to be a movement away from it.

[Meridian]

If I understand you correctly, your thesis is that boredom often makes people want to not be bored.

I think you may be on to something here.

[Desperado]

So if we observe closely, isn't it true that most of our actions are the result of boredom?

Sex, happiness, fear, love, ego, bewilderment - plenty of philosophers have made these their pet ultimate motivators. Sure, if we are doing things, we are not bored, but this does not have to mean we do things so as to not be bored. I don't go on boats so that I am not on land - I go on boats to get places.