Boredom

Bored

verb (used with object)
1.
to weary by dullness, tedious repetition, unwelcome attentions, etc.: The long speech bored me.
noun
2.
a dull, tiresome, or uncongenial person.
3.
a cause of ennui or petty annoyance: repetitious tasks that are a bore to do.

*These terms were provided by www.dictionary.com

When a person says "I'm bored" do they really mean the definition of being bored? The dullness in a room can be understood and the tedious repetition of a task can be well understood, but the simple fact of sitting inside one's own house and saying those words, typing them in a twitter feed, blog, or Facebook status post seems rather irrelevant.

The usual crowd of using this phrase comes from children and young adults.  Being laden with video games, social media, television, and the ability to have things at the ready, at the exact moment of wanting it, has influenced the coming generation.

There are so many distractions that present themselves to us in the United States.  The main target for advertisers is children and young adults.  How much time is spent on playing video games vs. learning? How much time is spent on social media networks vs. physical activity? How much time is spent on television vs. doing what you are supposed to be doing?

The more prominent answer is the obvious one.  Technological advancements are not being used correctly.  All these amazing video games with the highest of graphics are such eye candy they leave little room for children to fixate themselves on other things that could be more beneficial.  The social media aspect of the internet can be such a great tool to bring awareness to topics from around the world and yet we worry too much about who Jack and Diane are dating.

With all these distractions it is easy to fall into the habit of needing to be in front of a screen doing "something" when in reality nothing is being achieved.  There is a whole world out there that needs to be explored.  The internet is such a great tool for acquiring information that could be used exactly for that purpose.  Taking on projects, traveling, learning a new language, learning how to perform a new activity, reading a book, reading information, learning to play an instrument, watching a video on history-science-animals-etc.

The thing is to not limit yourself and expand your mind. Let go of the telescope, binoculars and instead open your eyes and look in all directions to see what you can find.