>>Only a short timespan, in evolutionary terms, separates us humans from the epoch where we needed to be constantly active during waking hours, simply to survive.

how do you know that?

the bird doesn't peck because it read a newspaper article, but because something tells it to. science calls it instinct, but what does science know about the mind of a bird?
boredom can't be the answer, because everyone gets bored, but everyone doesn't do the same things!