Tram of Thought: Comic strip about psychology, philosophy, society, engineering, and just life in all its gory glory

Boredom

[Triangle-person sitting on an armchair.] [Triangle-person sitting on an armchair staring at a fly buzzing past.] [Triangle-person is in the same armchair, lying on their side, staring away into the distance.] [Triangle-person is sitting on the armchair upside down.] [Triangle-person is sitting on the floor, reclining against the armchair.] [Triangle-person is suddenly jumping up with joy, a thought occuring to them. The thought bubble contains the tramofthought.org logo] Boredom begets creativity.

[Triangle-person sitting on an armchair.]

[Triangle-person sitting on an armchair staring at a fly buzzing past.]

[Triangle-person is in the same armchair, lying on their side, staring away into the distance.]

[Triangle-person is sitting on the armchair upside down.]

[Triangle-person is sitting on the floor, reclining against the armchair.]

[Triangle-person is suddenly jumping up with joy, a thought occuring to them. The thought bubble contains the tramofthought.org logo]

Boredom begets creativity.

Brain is an organ responsible for thinking. It cannot stop. Trying to blank it out only leads to more thinking. It will think whatever you do.

We are usually occupied, entertained or working. This keeps the brain busy - but what happens when we have nothing to do? With the worldly outlet shut off, the brain has no choice but to start reminiscing (replaying memories), philosophizing (thinking about thinking), or daydreaming (making stuff up).

The “brain is always on” claim is supported by researchers measuring the brain consumption of energy, and discovering there isn’t a great deal of difference between an active and an idle brain.

Physiologically, when we are bored certain areas in the brain become highly active - we call these the “default mode network”. We think this network is responsible for constructing a coherent personality through introspection, empathic thought, rehearsing memories, and planning for the future.

This network is naturally constructive, so it makes sense to me that skilled artists and inventors would be able to tap into it for creative thought. My own experience supports it: I’m most creative when I’m relaxed but also quite bored and not doing anything in particular.

#psychology