Boredom Theory

[dweams]

Hello everyone! I've been thinking about this idea for a while now, and I haven't found anything in the academic world that really addresses it.

So, I've decided to share it with all of you and see what you think.

I'm deciding to call it "Boredom Theory," but I'm open to suggestions.

Here it is:

When we've learned all there is to learn,
Understood everything there is to understand,
Tried every possible (and impossible) thing there ever was to do,

What comes next?
What do we do then?

There's literally nothing left.
Absolutely nothing.

 

[obligatoryshackles]

I guess my question would be, what purpose does this serve beyond a thought experiment regarding the existence of an omnipotent being? It's an interesting angle on the idea of absolute power, I guess. A being who ascends to that level might not act as some capricious god but instead simply cease to act, having no purpose in doing so.

But what practical application does it actually have? No human will ever learn all there is to learn, understand everything there is to understand, nor be able to try every possible and impossible thing there is to do. We simply are not and cannot become infinite beings.

 

[dweams]

We simply are not and cannot become infinite beings.

I guess I'm just optimistic that humans will ascend to this level of omnipotence.

 

[Forever Sleep]

Hmm, yeah but we're not machines. We don't perform a task in the same precise and perfect way every time. Athletes train to attain a personal best and then, to beat it until their bodies give out. Artists and inventors continually seek to improve their skills. Very few people- even those who excel at something believe they have reached the pinnacle. There is usually something they think they could have done better.

When it comes to knowledge, new things are continually being discovered. It would be tricky to become an expert in every field.

I think boredom has more to do with apathy. If someone isn't interested in anything, they will become bored with everything. No amount of studying or practical work will remedy that. Very intelligent or prolifically creative/inventive people are interested in their chosen area. It's that that motivates them and stops them from becoming bored.

Boredom is the lack of pleasure in something. Say someone is a mountaineer. Do they only climb Everest once and then become bored with it? Perhaps the first time will still remain the most special but I expect they will continue to climb the same mountains and have different experiences each time. Sometimes, it's the process of doing something that we enjoy- it's not always about the end result.

 

[dweams]

Hmm, yeah but we're not machines. We don't perform a task in the same precise and perfect way every time. Athletes train to attain a personal best and then, to beat it until their bodies give out. Artists and inventors continually seek to improve their skills. Very few people- even those who excel at something believe they have reached the pinnacle. There is usually something they think they could have done better.

When it comes to knowledge, new things are continually being discovered. It would be tricky to become an expert in every field.

I think boredom has more to do with apathy. If someone isn't interested in anything, they will become bored with everything. No amount of studying or practical work will remedy that. Very intelligent or prolifically creative/inventive people are interested in their chosen area. It's that that motivates them and stops them from becoming bored.

Boredom is the lack of pleasure in something. Say someone is a mountaineer. Do they only climb Everest once and then become bored with it? Perhaps the first time will still remain the most special but I expect they will continue to climb the same mountains and have different experiences each time. Sometimes, it's the process of doing something that we enjoy- it's not always about the end result.

Sorry, I don't think I explained my idea very well in the beginning.

It's probably best to think of it as a thought experiment, as @obligatoryshackles suggested. Imagine that humans have reached a kind of post-discovery era.

I guess this idea might be better called the "post-discovery hypothesis".

 

[Forever Sleep]

Sorry, I don't think I explained my idea very well in the beginning.

It's probably best to think of it as a thought experiment, as @obligatoryshackles suggested. Imagine that humans have reached a kind of post-discovery era.

I guess this idea might be better called the "post-discovery hypothesis".

Ah, I see. I think I understand to an extent but I guess my argument would be- will we ever understand everything about this world? Plus, I think it's hard wired in our nature to be dissatisfied and want to strive for more. I guess I see what you mean though- in doing that, we would tanscend being human I guess. Just not sure it's achievable with our current biological restrictions.

 

[tiger b]

I think we may well limit and put blinkers on ourselves - and that's not necessarily a bad thing.

I like your boredom theory - but which is more important, actually getting to that stage you talk of - or feeling we are at that stage?

 

[dweams]

I think we may well limit and put blinkers on ourselves - and that's not necessarily a bad thing.

I like your boredom theory - but which is more important, actually getting to that stage you talk of - or feeling we are at that stage?

I'm not really sure which is more important. I guess we'll just have to wait and find out. ;)

 

[EternalShore]

Interesting idea! :) Cute pfp too! hehe~
I'd say that when one reaches that stage, they'd probably play out the worst or best possible future depending on their inclination towards evil/good! :)

 

[Saxenomorph]

I want to explore/learn everything but I know it won't mean anything in the end, which bores me lol. I think boredom will soon become common in humanity for same reasons.

 

[Shiva_Story]

We're made from the same atoms that were present at the birth of the universe but arranged differently. I think what comes next is the endless quest for novelty.

you know... the same same BUT different.

 

[real person]

I guess I'm just optimistic that humans will ascend to this level of omnipotence.

you shouldn't be lol

 

[dweams]

Cute pfp too! hehe~

Thank you. :)

It was made by an artist named Ro who also makes music. If you're curious, here's a link to their YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@rowwwrowww.