The Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch
Week 5: Chapter 4 — The Nudge Toward Boredom
Read Chapter 4 of The Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch.
Previewing Week 5 of The Tech-Wise Family
Read 3 of 7 discussion questions below. Unlock the complete 10-week guide when you’re ready.
Crouch makes the surprising argument that boredom is not an enemy to be escaped but a condition to be welcomed — because it is the seedbed of creativity, imagination, and genuine personhood.
Discussion Questions
7 questions1.Crouch argues that the relentless availability of entertainment has made an entire generation afraid of boredom. Do you agree? When did you last feel genuinely bored, and what did you do with that feeling?
2.He distinguishes between "boredom" in the modern sense (needing stimulus) and the older idea of restful stillness that produces creativity and depth. What does he say is born in the space that boredom creates? Have you experienced that in your own life?
3.Crouch describes his children's complaints of boredom and how he and his wife responded — not by providing entertainment, but by nudging them toward creative play. How do parents in your community typically respond when children say they're bored? What message does that response send?