"In defense of boredom"
I think the author has stated good reasons why boredom is a good thing and a lead to a new way of thinking. People are ignorant about their surroundings and about the sometimes strange human behavior. Personally, I can relate to the example of the earbuds because whenever I'm bored in public I use music as a way to block myself from socializing. I think everyone should stop a habit similar to this one, that intends to not get "bored", and perhaps a new way of thinking will lead to something revolutionary.