Why Boredom Matters

Boredom is an enduring problem that we tend to respond to in one of two ways. First and foremost, we seek to avoid it, embracing what Walker Percy describes as a "boredom avoidance scheme," keeping ourselves constantly amused. If this strategy fails, we resign ourselves to it, accepting boring situations as an inevitable part of life. Both strategies avoid serious reflection on this universal and troubling state of mind. Steering clear of the extremes of avoidance or resignation, Gary charts a middle way, guiding readers in how to discover internal resources that equip them to find worthwhile activities and practices to transform boredom into a more productive state of mind.