“A generation that cannot endure boredom will be a generation of little men […] in whom every vital impulse slowly withers [… like] cut flowers in a vase.” · 2
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This rings true to me, and ties in with Cal Newport's "deep work" idea and re-training our brain to not need or expect constant little hits of dopamine and diversions. Intolerance of boredom, and requiring constant entertainment, leads to a shallow life devoid of significant meaning or creation.
Agreed. To me, it seems as though the majority of the large momentous events in my life would not be so if not for the stretches of ordinary in between. Those stretches of ordinary offer a point of reference in which I can compare and enjoy the big exciting moments. I also find that boredom is also where the anticipation builds as I plan out future adventures. Adventures that often are more exciting in their anticipation than in reality. Then, some amazing and unexpected happening comes along. Some event takes place that we didn't plan on. That's the coolest stuff. The stuff that my family and I talk about for years to come.
This seemingly intolerance for boredom grows with every generation due to the increasing advances in technology. As entertainment becomes more mobile and accessible, the impulse to reach for it when encountering a lull in life is more pressing. People have always sought to fight boredom in any capacity and the rich have always flaunted their wealth to due so, however the difference between now and then is - again - how far modern technology allows its users to utilize it against boredom. People haven't changed, the world has. So it's only now how apparent the importance of boredom is.