Reviving Boredom Instead of Killing It – De-digitalising GenZ boredom  in the algorithmic capitalism era

Who said boredom was boring? In this digital world, we experience less and less boredom. We have everything at hand to distract us, everywhere and at all times. This project aims to give value back to boredom, helping us reconnect with moments of non-stimulation to break free from unsustainable habits and nonstop productivity.

I asked individuals about their digital habits and boredom experiences, and I observed that the digital has become the norm to kill boredom nowadays, especially among Generation Z. Every time we have a moment of “nothing” we have a strong urge to consume online content.

“I almost systematically take my phone out when I don’t know what to do, when I’m bored, for no reason, it’s a reflex.”

Many people wish to disconnect but struggle to do so. I tried to understand the main motives behind this wish of spending less time on digital devices and  what comes the most is the feeling of wasting time. We can feel in the testimonies a sense of regret or shame associated with not being productive enough because we spend time on digital devices. I also found out that consuming online content to kill boredom is really profitable for big tech companies, and maybe it’s one of the reasons why it’s difficult for us to spend less time on screens. In fact, boredom has been capitalized by companies such as Instagram or Tiktok, and other digital platforms.

“I waste too much of my free time watching things mindlessly on my phone, instead of doing things that are productive or that I actually enjoy, even if they are not productive.”

For that reason, I wondered how boredom could become an act of resistance and an antidote in the climate emergency. What if instead of trying to distract ourselves with digital content we accepted boredom and the act of doing nothing productive? In general, what if accepting boredom was a way to be unproductive for our capitalist society but beneficial for our planet?

I created three seeds to redefine boredom: an object to create a new vocabulary around boredom, a book exploring moments of nothing, and an emergency guide to not kill boredom. These seeds challenge the negative connotations of boredom by encouraging reflection through surrealist techniques. Using the cyanotype technique, I emphasize sustainability and contemplation, aligning my design practice with natural rhythms and the use of existing resources.

Try these prototypes digitally here!

References

Crary, Jonathan. 24/7: Late Capitalism and the Ends of Sleep. Verso, 2013.

Digital Limits. Limites Numériques, 11 Jan. 2023, limitesnumeriques.fr/en/.

Mcdonough, Tom. Boredom. London: Whitechapel Gallery, 2017