While I was younger and before the social networks I often looked puzzled when someone told me he/she is bored. How could that be? Usually there are much more to do or to think about than the time we got. I had to utilize all I got including sitting on the toilet or falling (trying) asleep at night. I may be mistaken but the maniac way of feeling ourselves good when we go out together may be a related matter. The having a schedule 20:00-24:00 or later Saturday night when you WILL feel good because it is the time for feeling good! Not only good but very good! Party pooping is not allowed! Quiet conversation or just being together quietly sounds more genuine most of the times. But all depends on the mood. Spinning around on the head may occur of course if the mood allows. But rarely on fixed schedule.

It is about the same now but I genuenly have much more to do, miss the times of doing nothing. Whenever I have to travel that is the time of reflection. Instead of pushing my nose into the mobile I stare outside or try to observe others without being creepy. It is easier nowadays, 90% of travellers use mobile. They don't know what happens around them. Luckily this mobile and tablet revolution passed me by, likely because of my occupation. I have all day at the computer I can use 30-60 min away, it is not enough actually.

Dopamine isn’t something you indulge in. It certainly isn’t the pleasure itself.

The more appropriate common vernacular is “instant gratification” IMO. (And interestingly dopamine is associated with expectations of things like pleasure. But if you pull out your phone immediately when nothing is happening then there is a very small window for expectation to happen.)

Americans should definitely get (and take) more vacations.

Without phones and connectivity

Anecdotally, I just took a long vacation in a country without much cell connectivity, and had a great time. It was very eye opening. But ever since coming back, I've been extremely unmotivated to work. I'm not sure if this counts as work burnout, but I'm sure the vacation had an impact.

You seen the mental paradise and yearn back? ; )

Jokes aside, computers (all kinds, handheld incuded) cause as many problems as they solve. They are a trouble relocation device. I feel demotivated working on and for computers.

Where's this. My first thought was North Korea, I wonder if people there are hella creative, but I guess sadly they're too busy doing things the medieval way to have free time.

Second guess is Mongolia, where the steppes go on and on forever...

You don't have to go to such extreme places to be forced into being disconnected from the Internet. I'm sure you'll find such places much nearer to your home.

Parts of California suffice! : ) 10 years ago good part of the four corners states was also good for bad reception, I recall 1.5 days spent in Page without any connection.

I am regularly out of cellphone network when riding my mountain bike. And I am riding to the trail, so it is really like 15km away.

Not so many understand that our brains need downtime to process experiences and emotions, and the lack of it can contribute to burnout