[usgroup]

Unfortunately you probably are getting dumber, look to folks who had the same trajectory as you but are further ahead for confirmation.

If your work doesn’t get more interesting you’ll adapt to fight the boredom by becoming dumber. You have to fight that somehow if you value your mind.

[snak]

Fighting boredom by becoming dumber, couldn't have said it better myself.

If you feel like this is happening, it is time for a change.

[Aromasin]

Anecdotally I felt that the 'become dumb to fight the boredom' mentality spills quite easily into life outside of work if you let it too. If I had a challenging day, I'd go home and study or build something - I'd keep the productive 'train' going. If I had a dull day, which was most days after the first 3 months getting to grips with the job, I'd go home and blank out watching a TV show or playing a video game. I couldn't break out of the 'dumb' mind-set after spending 8 hours in it.

Regretfully I've lost weeks and months to this mindless monotony over the last year. Thankfully Friday is my last day, and I start a post-graduate course in October which should be a splash of cold water for my brain. In short, I'm very much in support of your second point.

[galfarragem]

> If your work doesn’t get more interesting you’ll adapt to fight the boredom by becoming dumber.

This matches my experience also. And is transversal to all fields.

[sizzle]

This insight terrifies me along with my complacency at work and my memories of being frustrated as a green new hire at the way things were done inefficiently at a snail's pace in the enterprise world.

Startups allowed me to extend myself and tap back into that motivation and drive from my younger years to try new things and push myself to learn faster.