Our Machines, Our Selves

Authors

Ian M. Buchanan, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

113455

Publication Details

Buchanan, I. (2017). Our Machines, Our Selves. Journal of Criticism and Theory, 22 (1), 217-236.

Abstract

Boredom, so we have been taught to believe, signifies the failure of a given semiotic regime-whether that's a lecture, a TV show, a news article or a place. Boredom is presented to us as a common enemy that like witches and sinners of old must be driven out. Perhaps though boredom is a form of cognitive defence we should cultivate. Boredom isn't necessarily a sign of failure; one might also see it as a sign of success, a sign that one has held onto the integrity of one's thoughts despite the constant pressure of external stimuli in the information rich age we live in. We must ask, what does it say about a culture if it loses the art of being bored? Does that not mean we who make up 'this' culture no longer know how to amuse ourselves with only our inner selves for company? By conquering boredom consumer capitalism has extinguished its most potent critic. Boredom is our defence against the present.