More often of late I find myself in an involuntary state of
indolence. As a result of this perpetual inactivity I’ve come to recognize a
few observations about many useless and irrelevant topics, one being this very
state that I loathe so much, but we’ll return to that later. As the initial
cacophony of thoughts assault my mind they begin to spider web down several
different avenues of introspection. One strand in particular traps me in its
wake and thusly, I am doomed to follow.
It is in this way, hopelessly devoid of activity, I find
myself questioning. Being a creature of curiosity and logic, I can’t help but
glance down the other strands of the web as I pass, tendrils of my mind being
swept away, unable to maintain focus on my designated train of thought. As the
various pieces of my mind meander their way back together, something of a
coherent thought begins to emerge.
Visualizing the way my mind works, the manner in which I perceive my
surroundings as well as my own opinions, I come to a realization; I am a
pessimist. Surprisingly, this is a warm and comforting thought. Treading the
tepid waters of cynicism I realize that is the brand of a true pessimist.
Do not mistake, I’m not speaking of negativity. While it is
much easier for me to see and recognize negativity, I still believe my
pessimism is born in logic, not skepticism. It has been my experience that a
dose of optimism tends to have the side effect of naivety, the scale of which
is dependent on the individual. Blissfully walking through life seeing the
“bright side” of things means you’re intentionally overlooking the places the
light doesn’t reach. This is a poor practice; it’s not seeing “both sides of
the argument” so to speak.
As I wander further down this haughty strand I begin to
study the passing tangent threads more intently. I spend a great deal of time plucking each
chord, hearing the thrum of thoughts reverberating back to me. How do people not hear some of the idiocy
spewing from their mouths? What possesses a person to be such a colossal
bastard to a total stranger? How does someone rationalize not tipping? Where
can I get whatever hallucinogen this tool was on when he looked in the mirror
and decided “yep, this looks good.”? YES, PLEASE GOD, show me more pictures of
your baby/pet/food on facebook, I NEVER get tired of looking at them. Why hasn’t
anyone invented a font for sarcasm? A caterwauling symphony of dissonance,
majors and minors, sharps and flats, all played in the key of contempt. As I listen to the boisterous discord of
wonderings, I realize how incredibly entertained I am and I see that I have
come full circle around the web and back to center. Back again to the reason
this venture was begun, boredom; that abhorrent state where productivity and
amusement are laid to rest.
There are few things as detestable in this world as boredom.
We ever seek to avoid it yet all succumb to it far too often. We hide from it behind
the guise of social interaction, the stupor of inebriation, or the monotony of
employment. We stave it off and pretend it’s not there, waiting, as we watch
TV, play video games, or stalk our “friends” on facebook, but it is
unavoidable, and unfortunately, the birthplace of all bad ideas. It’s
fascinating if you think about it. I don’t believe I’m being presumptuous when I
say boredom is the only thing the whole of humanity mutually scorns, at least I
can’t think of anything else at present. With that being said, amongst all the
media ambiguity, reticence from our leaders, bickering with friends and
neighbors, strife in the workplace, and garbage on the internet, at least we
are occupied. Maybe if we took one day, shut off the broadcast towers,
throttled the internet, and sat on our asses in mutual boredom we would see the
next day with a new perspective, or maybe that’s just me being optimistic…
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