Boredom as a Regulator of Civilization: Philosophy, Meaning, and Politics

This article provides an in-depth analysis of the phenomenon of boredom, viewed not as a trivial mental state but as a fundamental regulator of civilizational processes. Drawing on the work of Leszek Kołakowski, the author defines boredom as a "blockage in the circulation of meaning" resulting from the persistent repetition of experiences. The text combines philosophical perspectives with the sociology of work, invoking David Graeber's concept of "bullshit jobs" and the psychological model of flow. In the political sphere, boredom is presented as a source of cynicism and apathy, which can only be countered by authentic civic agency and the transparency of state action. By comparing Christian acedia and Buddhist thīna-middha, the article sheds new light on the cultural roots of boredom, simultaneously offering tools for engineering meaning essential for building a strong society.