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If it's boredom, you should probably be doing something else.

I am in the process of teaching a 4-year-old to do what needs doing regardless of interest level. The above advice is not helpful to that end. There is much which we must do, be it chores or goals, which inspire boredom - but must be done nonetheless else at best no progress is made, or at worst grave consequences follow.



Bertrand Russell has treated this subject in his inimitable fashion in his essay titled "Boredom and Excitement", Chapter 4 of his book "The Conquest of Happiness". The chapter starts off with "Boredom as a factor in human behaviour has received, in my opinion, far less attention than it deserves." and is well worth reading (at least) a few times.




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