HUMAN BEINGS ARE NOT AT ALL GOOD AT ENTERTAINING THEMSELVES In a series of experiments in 2014 a number of sample groups were asked to entertain themselves for 6 to 15 minutes – setting aside all distractions. The first six groups studied found this very difficult indeed, with 58% rating the level of difficulty above […]

HUMAN BEINGS ARE NOT AT ALL GOOD AT ENTERTAINING THEMSELVES In a series of experiments in 2014 a number of sample groups were asked to entertain themselves for 6 to 15 minutes – setting aside all distractions. The first six groups studied found this very difficult indeed, with 58% rating the level of difficulty above ‘somewhat difficult’. In a seventh group, in addition to a similar finding regarding the level of difficulty, it was found that 32% of people cheated – secretly listening to music or playing with their mobile phone. One respondent in the sample practised origami. In an eighth sample, respondents were given the option of giving themselves a small electric shock while they were supposed to be lost in their thoughts with no distractions. In this group 25% of women and 66% of men would rather be distracted by shocking themselves than spend time in quiet thought.…