The Legend of Ennui

What happens when an Unstoppable Force meets an Immovable Object?

Think.

And if you know the answer to this question, please let me know. I’ll get in touch with the Nobel Committee pronto!

Of course, one of my favourite authors, Isaac Asimov, says it’s not a ‘question’ by any means; so it barely merits an answer…

But that’s not the point at all. The point is that, if you find yourself thinking about such questions, rest assured that you’re either a budding philosopher or a prime candidate for a mental institution.

There is, of course, a third option.

You are bored.
And in case you are wondering what Ennui is, that’s what.
Boredom... Boooooredom!

Okay. Now you’ve got it. I’m bored. Took a lot of time coming to the point, didn’t I?
Were you bored while reading this? No? Not good. ‘Cause boredom’s good.
So when you are bored, you’re doing humanity a favour.

You don’t believe me, do you? You ought to. I’ll tell you why.

Boredom is a cousin of Laziness. They are brothers in arms. With me till now?

Well… Now think of all the major strides that have taken place in the history of Human Civilization. Discovery of fire… the wheel… gravity… the light bulb… Internet... I’m mentioning just a few to get you into the proper frame of mind.

Things like these changed the way we lived. The way we thought.

And why?

Because some lazy bum somewhere wanted to make his life a teeny-weeny bit easier... Someone wanted to work less, play more. Somebody bored with life as it was thought it’d be fun to change things a little bit.

You see where this is leading, don’t you?

Q.E.D.

Progress is a consequence of boredom and laziness. So someone sitting by the lake under a tree watching the birds in flight is not just whiling away his time… he’s changing the world. He’s making a difference, whether you like it or not!

So, are you bored?

Yes!? That’s lovely! Welcome to my club. Way to go, man!

Come, let’s change the world...
And make it a boring place!