Daylight savings is one of those things which sounds like a good idea – in theory. In reality, at least in Australia, it’s become an absolute pain in the arse.
History of DST
Historically, the idea of daylight savings time was invented during World War I – and not by the British as most people believe, but rather it was the German government who first enacted daylight savings time. Shortly thereafter, the British said “This sounds like a smashing idea! Let’s follow suit!” – well, possibly not… But they did follow suit.
In the good ‘ole US of A, they too followed along – but soon abandoned it again because farmers complained. And let’s not forget the people who said it was interfering with “Gods Time” (Woodrow Wilson – amongst many).
Why is daylight savings a waste of time?
I propose three reasons:
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Confusion
At each change of time, there is always a percentage of the population who gets left behind. The economic costs of having this group is probably quite substancial – although it’s probably not exclusively daylight savings fault.
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Communications
To ensure reliable communcations, it is vital to have clocks set accurately on communications systems. Each time daylight savings begins or ends, it is enevitable that some systems will not apply these changes correctly – requiring manual intervention.
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Ladders
Yes, ladders. These ancient implements consist of bits of wood or metal linking two parallel bits of wood or metal – for those of you who have never seen one.
Clocks are often put in logical places – at the top of tall towers, large signs or placed convieniently on a high wall.
Ladders are the most likely method of access for many of these clocks. There is an economic cost involved to get someone to climb the ladder and adjust the clock – and that is no-doubt substancial. But there is also the more sinister cost of those people who fall from these ladders.
Therefore, daylight savings is a waste of time.
Oh, and time = money (in a 1:1 ratio (but only on tuesdays))
5 Comments
You post hasn’t actually mentioned the benefit of daylight savings… having more sunlight in the evenings during summer months…
So…
In Australia, it means people travel home during the hottest time of day.
Secondly, everyone is fat and sits around inside anyway.
Yes, I am aware that this isn’t a well thought out argument.
Meh, I liked it. I never thought of the ladder perspective – only the getting confused about the whole operation aspect. You go put the clock BACK to GAIN an hour? Something contradictory there, though I think I’m taking quite the literal response.
While I don’t care much for the title ‘God’s time’, because, you know, he divided up into the most popular system used, I seems to be messed around for the silliest reasons. Like an extra week for the Commonwealth Games.
I’am one who hates daylight savings.
Just learn how to slow down and leave the clocks where thay should be,then midday will be midday, 12noon. life is going quick enough without cranking up the clocks to go faster.I can not believe that you daylight
saver lovers think you get extra day light,the sun comes up and then goes down without changing the clocks. if you wont to get up early get up early but I dont like to be told when I should have to get up , I like my realaxed mornings without
rushing.( o my god look at the time, the day
is half gone )relax read the paper have a cup of coffee hang out the washing go for a walk or swim before going to work.we are now seeing more and more shift workers,all of who lose that extra hour of day light with daylight savings,ask your self this.look at the time now ask yourself what time would you like it to be right now one hour forward or back.
it is 10 oclock on my watch and iam sure as hell can not see any advantage in thinking that it is 11 oclock please think about it
it may suit the 9 to 5 workers and that is all,and how many or of those are there now.
Leave the clocks alone, let them do there thing and you do yours get up when you like
you dont need the clock to do that do you.