# Can You Actually Die From Boredom? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 18, 2001, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-actually-die-from-boredom/50733 "2001-01-18T19:15:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-actually-die-from-boredom/50733/1 "2001-01-18T19:15:32Z")
I spent my morning arguing with an editor over whether the food-stylist credits should go before or after the flatware credits in a photo caption. I spent the first part of the afternoon arguing with another editor over whether it’s “make believe” (as in my Webster’s) or “make-believe” (as in whatever the hell dictionary she’s using). May I add that I do not give one sweet patootie the actual outcome of these arguments? Or that I—I! Who have had three books published and am the toast of two continents and have entertained the crowned heads of Europe!—feel my consciousness draining away as the fateful ennui saps my very life force? So, how’s YOUR day goin’? ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-actually-die-from-boredom/50733/2 "2001-01-18T19:35:00Z")
Eve I’m impressed. Crowned heads, eh? I love royalty! Oh, and what three books? Perhaps I’ve heard of them. Anyway my day was uneventful too. Its snowing. WILL school be delayed tomorrow? ::makes scary noises:: Math class was boring. Except for um…a certain innapropriate comment made. Hehe…:eek: ---
**Author:** ![lurkernomore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@lurkernomore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lurkernomore)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-actually-die-from-boredom/50733/3 "2001-01-18T19:39:49Z")
No. Experimental proof: They haven’t found me dead at my desk yet. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-actually-die-from-boredom/50733/4 "2001-01-18T19:41:36Z")
Well, if you change your name to “Melba”, you could be the toast of yet a third continent. And it would kill an otherwise boring afternoon. ---
**Author:** ![uberDave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f04885/32.png) [@uberDave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/uberDave)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-actually-die-from-boredom/50733/5 "2001-01-18T19:49:08Z")
What – you mean the part where our entire department was called to a meeting in an apparent effort to quash the lastest rumour that the new computer program may in fact be ‘a bit’ late in implementation. We’ve had so much insurection around here, from jumping over our manager, senior manager AND vice president to call in the president to explain just how it is that they can begin to justify cutting staff in anticipation of the how the new computer system will reduce workloads, to the having people in the senior managers office literally screaming about how people in the control room who have to be promoted to get into our group are now getting paid more that us, that any little gossip MUST be nipped in the bud. Oh, and this brand spankin’ new fangled computer program that will end all our woes was initially supposed to be in place in FEBRUARY 1997. And once again, the entire group of the usual suspects dragged us in to hear the same litany. “Things are going to get better soon. The rollout for CAS (Computer Aided Scheduler) will happen in March or April. Just hang on.” Note that they now fail to say what year. I guess they’re learning. Now they won’t even promise that it will reduce workloads. The bastards. Other than that, everythings just fine, just FINE. Dave ---
**Author:** ![Blackclaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e68b1a/32.png) [@Blackclaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackclaw)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-actually-die-from-boredom/50733/6 "2001-01-18T19:50:02Z")
It could be worse. People you don’t know could be sharing strange thoughts with you. I have a Vampire the Masqurade character named Eve. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-actually-die-from-boredom/50733/7 "2001-01-18T20:06:45Z")
::Yaaaaaaaaawn:: Oh, sorry. You kindof bored _me_ with that story, **Eve**. 😉 My day’s dragging. I didn’t sleep well last night. I’m feeling kindof blue. But the sun is shining, the birds are chirping. Hang on while I gag. Ok, I’m back. Off to go get a patty melt and crispy french fries. I feel like being bad today. ::Hugs **Eve** on my way out:: ---
**Author:** ![Plavacek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f05b48/32.png) [@Plavacek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plavacek)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-actually-die-from-boredom/50733/8 "2001-01-18T20:33:11Z")
Last night, I 1.Watched Temptation Island 2.Browsed through the Temptation Island web site 3.Searched ebay for loose diamonds 4.Read an issue of Time, cover to cover 5.Went to an all-ages “night club” 6.Watched Meet Joe Black…for the second time All of this was done out of sheer, unrelenting, punishing boredom. I therefore assert that while boredom may not be lethal, it can certainly maim you severely. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-actually-die-from-boredom/50733/9 "2001-01-18T21:29:15Z")
Well, be careful what you ask for . . . The day “perked up” considerably when I accidentally overheard someone insulting me in a rather dreadful manner. Now I am hurt and ticked-off, but no longer really “bored.” Plav—you watched “Meet Joe Black” TWICE and did not expire from boredom? You’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din! ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-actually-die-from-boredom/50733/10 "2001-01-18T21:39:10Z")
“Can you actually die from boredom?” With you posting, Eve? Never. ---
**Author:** ![struuter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@struuter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/struuter)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-actually-die-from-boredom/50733/11 "2001-01-18T21:45:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Eve \* > \*\*Well, be careful what you ask for . . . The day “perked up” considerably when I accidentally overheard someone insulting me in a rather dreadful manner. Now I am hurt and ticked-off, but no longer really “bored.” > > \*\* Eve, I have ridden my particular dead horse of boredom to the point of actually trying to remember all the little jems of wisdom my mother imparted to me. As it so happens, she had one for your exact predicament, and at the risk of boring you yet again, I’ll share it. “Just remember honey, when somebody says something really nasty about you, just smile and say under you breath–‘Coming from you, that’s a compliment.’” Oh, oh! I just thought of another one she’d say…“Consider the source.” Which basically means the same thing. But if you could just hear my mother say it…Imagine Carol Brady meets Rosalind Russell. That’s her. Well, in any case, we all think you’re wonderful. And that’s what’s really important, isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-actually-die-from-boredom/50733/12 "2001-01-18T21:53:45Z")
Well, Struuter and Robot, you have both more than made up for what that impertinent jackanapes said about me. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-actually-die-from-boredom/50733/13 "2001-01-18T22:19:13Z")
My beloved baba used to say, “I don’t mind if they’re talking about me behind my back, 'cuz if they’re talking about me, that means they’re leaving someone else alone.” **Eve** , m’dear, there isn’t anything those maroons could _possibly_ have had to say that bears the slightest resemblance to the truth. We all know you’re incredibly bright, witty, charming, sassy and sexy. I say piss in their coffee next time their backs are turned. hehe ---
**Author:** ![Lowellster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/2bfe46/32.png) [@Lowellster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lowellster)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-actually-die-from-boredom/50733/14 "2001-01-18T22:25:21Z")
In response to the OP, it is definitely not possible to die from boredom, at least not directly. If it were, I would have never survived my year and a half of working for the post office. I would however buy into the argument that extended periods of boredom slowly seep the life out of you. Don’t let that happen. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-actually-die-from-boredom/50733/15 "2001-01-18T22:43:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Eve \* > Well, Struuter and Robot, you have both more than made up for what that impertinent jackanapes said about me. “Struuter and Robot” Sounds like a bad communist puppet show. ---
**Author:** ![Kittie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Kittie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kittie)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-actually-die-from-boredom/50733/16 "2001-01-18T22:54:15Z")
I don’t think you can DIE…just lose the will to live… ---
**Author:** ![Welfy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e56c9b/32.png) [@Welfy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Welfy)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-actually-die-from-boredom/50733/17 "2001-01-18T23:00:32Z")
I seriously asked myself this question during 2nd period Government class this morning as I watched a video on the introduction and history of Economics. _huge yawn_ Eh, Eve, don’t listen to that silly person. I’ve had problems with people bad-talking me this week, too. I feel your pain. But hey, it _does_ stop one from being bored… Shayna and struuter, I like your mother’s and baba’s advice. ---
**Author:** ![Mnementh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/898d66/32.png) [@Mnementh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mnementh)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-actually-die-from-boredom/50733/18 "2001-01-18T23:07:58Z")
A few days ago at work I spent 8 hours, alone, considering to myself the ramifications that stitches have on building scar tissue. I came to the conclusion that they have NOTHING to do with it. Ask me about it sometime. It’s really long and boring and goes to show, very well, the inanity that is my mind. Whee! ---
**Author:** ![Davidbw1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7993a0/32.png) [@Davidbw1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Davidbw1)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-actually-die-from-boredom/50733/19 "2001-01-18T23:51:31Z")
Belive you me, if it were possible, i wouldn’t have made it out of chem. class this morning (instead of dying, i just kinda fell asleep) ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2001, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-actually-die-from-boredom/50733/20 "2001-01-19T03:19:15Z")
Eve, where I work it’s my responsibility to make sure nothing interesting happens. And the next time some insignifigant worm speaks ill of you, remember us, your online fanclub. Not only are you one of the favorite posters here, but there was a thread on OpalCat’s F3 board where posters there listed their favorite SDMB posters and your name was the most frequently mentioned; meaning that you are one of the most popular posters on a board you’ve never even appeared in. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-actually-die-from-boredom/50733.md?page=2)