Joseph Brodsky’s Unexpected Commencement Advice: Embracing Boredom

In 1989, poet and essayist Joseph Brodsky delivered a commencement address at Dartmouth College that challenged conventional wisdom. Rather than offering the typical encouragement about pursuing passions and changing the world, Brodsky spoke about the inevitability – and even the value – of boredom. His speech, as noted by Daniel Smith in The Wonder Reader, centered on the idea that life will be “claimed by the ‘incurable malaise’ of boredom.”

The Psychological Sahara

Brodsky argued that boredom isn’t something to be avoided, but rather a fundamental aspect of the human experience. He described it as “the psychological Sahara that starts right in your bedroom and spurns the horizon,” a feeling far more pervasive than the temporary discomfort of a dull lecture or textbook. He listed numerous synonyms for boredom – anguish, ennui, tedium, doldrums, and more – highlighting its multifaceted nature.

A Lesson in Insignificance

The Nobel laureate posited that boredom exists “to teach you the most valuable lesson in your life,” namely, “the lesson of your utter insignificance.” This perspective, while potentially unsettling, offered a form of liberation. Brodsky’s own life informed this view. having endured hardship, including the siege of Leningrad during World War II and subsequent persecution by the Soviet regime for his poetry, he understood the weight of prolonged inactivity and the freedom that can be found within it. He was branded a “social parasite” and faced imprisonment and forced labor as detailed in The Attic.

Finding Meaning in the Mundane

Smith suggests that there’s power in allowing oneself to *feel* boredom, even during everyday tasks like running errands or waiting on hold. These seemingly wasted moments, he argues, are “inextricable from a life of meaning.” This idea echoes Arthur C. Brooks’ advice on finding contentment in waiting, and aligns with the notion that embracing stillness can lead to deeper self-understanding.

Dartmouth’s Commencement and Context

The 1989 Dartmouth commencement took place against a backdrop of global unrest, specifically the events in Tiananmen Square. President Freedman acknowledged the situation in China with a moment of silence, and many attendees wore white armbands in support of the Chinese students according to Dartmouth Alumni Magazine. The ceremony also honored C. Everett Koop, the outgoing Surgeon General.

Key Takeaways

• Boredom is an inevitable part of life, not a problem to be solved.
• Embracing boredom can lead to a deeper understanding of oneself and one’s place in the world.
• Meaning can be found even in the most mundane moments.