
Podcast 9 - Why Your Son Needs to Be Bored
From Blueprint: Raising Good Men Podcast by Johann Arnason
January 31, 2026 · 10 min · Season 1 · Episode 9
About this episode
The episode discusses the importance of boredom for children in the context of modern digital distractions.
We now know that modern digital platforms are engineered systems designed to capture attention through dopaminergic feedback loops, optimized relentlessly to keep us engaged, scrolling, and mildly dissatisfied. I highly recommend the documentary The Social Dilemma , which was my first eye-opening gut punch on just how effective these systems are at watching us, learning us, and gently herding us into endless loops with no natural stopping point. (Did you know that Instagram actually follows your eye-movements to better measure how you like each portion of the endless scroll? yes, it’s creepy.) Full post here This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goodmenblueprint.substack.com
People in this episode
Host: Johann Arnason
Topics covered
- boredom
- digital platforms
- parenting
- attention
- dopaminergic feedback loops
Keywords
- boredom
- digital engagement
- parenting
- attention capture
- social media
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: The Social Dilemma
More episodes of Blueprint: Raising Good Men Podcast
- Podcast 15 - Why Fathers Should Absolutely Kiss Their Sons · February 26, 2026 · 3 min
- Podcast 14. - Was Tony a good father? · February 25, 2026 · 11 min
- Podcast 12 - How to Celebrate New Offspring · February 2, 2026 · 4 min
- Podcast 11 - Eat, Sleep, Poop · February 2, 2026 · 7 min
- Podcast 10 - Fathers in Film: Was Walt a good Father? · February 1, 2026 · 14 min
- Podcast 8 - What makes a good father #1 · January 30, 2026 · 8 min
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