Bored.: Why we need something to do every day

by Jen Gash

This book explores the strange thing we call “boredom”, the nature of people as human “doings” and argues that the description “human being” is rather misleading. We wake up every morning, thinking “what do I have to “do” today?”. At work we ask each other “what did you do at the weekend?”. We introduce ourselves to new people by asking “and what do you do?”. The things we do or don’t do, shape our wellbeing with chronic boredom having devastating effects. Our “busyness” and desire to escape boredom, shapes us and our world, it creates identity and social connection and impacts on the economy, capitalism, and the environment. On a lighter note, there are also bits about sex, relationships and shopping.

Chapter 1: Human being or human doing?
Chapter 2: the good, the bad and the ugly
Chapter 3: Boredom and wellbeing
Chapter 4: Boredom and the creation of economy
Chapter 5: Boredom and the impact on the environment
Chapter 6: A way forward

121 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 10, 2023