Generation boredom?

I was watching bits and pieces of Oprah today while riding my stationary bike. One show was about how to simplify your life. This idea has been intriguing to me lately, although I am not that great at it. I am thrifty and cost conscious in some ways. For instant, you may call it my pet peeve to throw away stuff from the refridgerator. It literally causes me anguish when something goes bad, or we don't eat the brussel sprouts in time. I may be a little obsessive about this at times. I remember when we were moving from Japan, I was force feeding Gary Udon (type of Japanese noodle) because we had bought too many and I didn't want to throw them out before we moved. One day, I opened the cupboard to prepare the Udon and we were out. "hmm, I said, I thought we had more?" "Nope," Gary said. "You made me eat them all!" Only later did I learn that he threw them out behind my back!! However, in contrast...I also just bought 1 dress, 2 shirts, 1 jacket, and 1 pair of jeans at Banana Republic that I didn't NEED. So the theoretical rule in our house is that we have to get rid of something for every item I purchase. I have yet to done so, but pretty good rule...in theory!

But what I found really intriguing today, was a small part of the show that they didn't really get into that much, this was the fact that children are growing up with constant sensory stimulation and without it, boredome ensues. They are always on line, on their cell phone, texting, watching TV, playing video games etc. This has got to have major consequences. For instance, I still keep in touch with my college physics teacher occasionally. He told me that teaching has changed for him in the last 8-10 years substantially. He is unable to get student's attention, "there is a lack of focus and a demand for more showmanship on my part. There has to be multi-media at all times to learn" he said. Am I just getting old to think that this is sad and maybe even tragic? Look at me, blogging right now, feeling like our technology has gotten out of hand. Every generation thinks that how they were brought up was the right way. When I have children (or child), do I allow them a personal computer, a cell phone, unlimited TV? I had none of those things and I think I turned out pretty good. Wouldn't we love to be able to enjoy simple time together, a quiet evening playing games, watching a fire, reading a great book, instead of all the NOISE? It is not a new sentiment to say that the technology we have created has made our lives more simple and efficient in so many ways, but at what cost? Are we raising our children without patience? without the ability to imagine? impeding personal communication while fostering sedentary behavior? Are we creating Generation Boredom?