B2 – Upper Intermediate
Most of us do everything we can to avoid boredom. We scroll, stream, or check our phones the moment there’s nothing else to do. But this video challenges that habit and argues that boredom plays an important role in helping us think, reflect, and find meaning in our lives.
Watch the video to hear why boredom isn’t something to escape, and how constantly avoiding it may be affecting our mental health.
Vocabulary Questions
- What does “default mode network” mean in the sentence, “Boredom is a tendency for us to not be occupied otherwise cognitively, which switches over our thinking system to use a part of our brain that’s called the default mode network”? Use it in a sentence.
- What does “doom loop” mean in the sentence, “Well, that’s a big problem. That’s a doom loop of meaning”? Use it in a sentence.
- What does “get your arms around” mean in the sentence, “Because it sends you to the types of questions that you can’t get your mind around. You can’t get your arms around”? Use it in a sentence.
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think people are so uncomfortable with boredom?
- How does boredom help people think about meaning and purpose, according to the video?
- Do you agree that smartphones make it harder to reflect on life? Why or why not?
- Have you ever had good ideas when you were bored? What were you doing at the time?
- Would you be willing to try short periods without your phone during the day? Why or why not?