Comment by LemonWho
8 hours ago
I think the researcher (and probably a lot of the people engaging in this challenge) are missing one of the major benefits of these do nothing challenges. 4+ hours is excessive, but the main point is that modern life is just constant stimulation. From the moment I wake up to the moment I fall asleep it's just "input", news articles, social media content, TV shows. There is always something to consume.
Doing nothing for even just 15 minutes is a way to conciously stop consuming for a little bit.
I would also be interested to know about the researcher's relationship with their phone. If they aren't prone to doomscrolling it would probably be pretty hard to relate to the need/want to do nothing.
Imo new life is far less stimulating than old life.
Wander in the trees and your brain is processing all the light reflecting off surfaces at endless angles given textured surfaces everywhere. Brain be processing the crunch of the sticks and grass.
Reading books was at an all-time high. Ear training making music with friends, was a constant.
Physically sitting still staring at a 2D screen, saving the universe from yet another alien threat video game, scanning likely repetitive and meaningless social commentary since no one is taking salient actions, just spinning wheels in place... modern life can't compete with that information overload.
Modern life is actually whittled down to "protect big corp profits" via consumption of their media and services. It's the opposite of diverse. It is hypernormalized and stagnant