In a surprising counter-movement to our hyper-stimulated digital age, Generation Z is pioneering a radical approach to air travel that's turning heads and rewiring brains. Dubbed 'raw-dogging,' this trend sees young travellers deliberately flying without any entertainment whatsoever - no movies, no music, no podcasts, just pure, unadulterated boredom.
The Ultimate Digital Detox
While most passengers load up their devices with enough content to survive a transatlantic flight, raw-doggers are taking the opposite approach. They're choosing to sit with their thoughts, stare at the seatback in front of them, and embrace the monotony of flight. What might sound like torture to many has become a secret weapon against digital overload.
Why Boredom Is Becoming a Status Symbol
The trend, which gained momentum on TikTok and other social platforms, represents more than just a quirky travel habit. It's become a badge of honour among young people fighting back against shrinking attention spans and constant digital stimulation.
Mental health experts are taking notice, suggesting that this voluntary exposure to boredom might actually be therapeutic. In a world where the average attention span has plummeted, deliberately choosing moments of mental stillness could be the antidote we've been searching for.
The Science Behind the Stillness
Research into boredom reveals surprising benefits. When we allow our minds to wander without external stimulation, we activate the brain's default mode network - crucial for creativity, self-reflection, and problem-solving. This mental state, often inaccessible during our packed schedules, might be exactly what Gen Z is instinctively seeking.
From Viral Trend to Lifestyle Movement
What started as isolated anecdotes has snowballed into a recognisable movement. Social media feeds are filled with young travellers boasting about their raw-dogging achievements, comparing flight times and sharing strategies for surviving the mental challenge.
The practice has evolved beyond air travel too, with participants applying the same principles to daily commutes, waiting rooms, and other traditionally 'dead' time that would normally be filled with screen time.
What This Means for the Future of Attention
As digital natives leading the charge, Gen Z's embrace of boredom signals a fascinating shift in how we value our mental resources. Rather than seeing empty time as something to be filled, they're reclaiming it as space for mental recovery and focus building.
This conscious uncoupling from constant stimulation might just be the beginning of a larger movement toward intentional living in our attention economy. As one raw-dogger proudly declared online: 'Six hours, no entertainment, just me and my thoughts. It's the mental reset we all need.'
