A professor of mine, Carl Sewall, told the class of a new epidemic that is on the rise: an epidemic of fun. He explained to us that our generation measures how good something is by how fun it is, not by what we gain from it. Because of our dependence on fun, we have become the most bored generation to have ever existed.
I have to admit that he has a point. Sure not every person suffers from this epidemic and some do more than others, but it is definitely an issue. Many of us need to constantly be amused and entertained. Nothing is more valuable than fun.
I want to note that Generation Y has impacted the world in many positive ways and should be commended for its contributions to society. Yet, no generation is perfect, and boredom just so happens to be its disease.
Some links involving the surge of boredom:
- Causes and effects (Scientific American)
- “Underwhelmed by It All” (LA Times)
- A woman’s observations and reflections
What will society become if the bacteria becomes immune…?
