Democratization, revolutions and technology have enabled the public to invade the private. The state has penetrated into private lives, the technology has created state of ubiquity, while our identities are vacillating into virtual, unstable and unsecure roles. In the state of constant negotium, the subtle state of otium has become almost impossible to achieve. Contrasted with leisure, free-time or relaxation, concept of otium is including contemplative aspects which can be seen as actions. Navigating around differing philosophical ideas, this paper aims (...) to avoid them as much as possible so the concept could be presented independently, in its entirety. Boredom and disinterestedness will prove to be critical in establishing their true importance in the context of private civilization, conflicted with mass culture, mass entertainment, mass media. In arts and humanities, the concept will point out to certain destructive aspects of ambition and careerism. (shrink)