11–16 of 16 posts
Something went horribly wrong when we started demanding never ending work weeks and 24/7 attention to work.
Something went horribly wrong when we started demanding never ending work weeks and 24/7 attention to work.
There are two things wrong about this I think. Firstly, it confuses activity with purpose. Secondly, unscheduled time is valuable not only for itself but for extra capacity when something important pops up.
Wake up, shower, grab coffee and commute (mostly looking at my phone)
Work as a developer (looking at the computer, some occasional short discussions with colleagues)
Eat at desk (looking at computer or phone)
Commute back (looking at phone)
Back home, maybe watch TV series or play a game (screen again)
It got me thinking that my mind was focused on a screen for 80%+ of the day. No time to be "idle" and to let my mind wander. Screens, notifications, alerts and apps designed to suck out as much attention and screen time out of me dominate the day.
Since then, I thought of changing my field of work and do something more manual, or that requires me to interact with people. I also picked up playing instruments and "real" life hobbies since then in an attempt to get away from the screens.
This article reminds me that in working days, I thought I barely had any time to "think for myself" Wake up, shower, grab coffee and commute (mostly looking at my phone) Work as a developer (looking at the computer, some occasional short discussions with colleagues) Eat at desk (looking at computer or phone) Commute back (looking at phone) Back home, maybe watch TV series or play a game (screen again) It got me think…
Something went horribly wrong when we started demanding never ending work weeks and 24/7 attention to work.
Tired of seeing this kind of meme: are we talking about the 19th century working conditions of an Upton Sinclair novel, or the 21st century developed nation, when it is often likely for a blue collar worker to struggle to get enough hours to total a 40 hour workweek.
> 1830 69.1 hours per week
> 1880 60.7
> 1929 50.6
> 1988 42.4
> As the twentieth century ended there was nothing resembling a shorter hours “movement.” The length of the workweek continues to fall for most groups — but at a glacial pace. Some Americans complain about a lack of free time but the vast majority seem content with an average workweek of roughly forty hours — channeling almost all of their growing wages into higher incomes rather than increased leisure time.
Should anyone find themselves in Llangollen I would recommend a visit to Plas Newydd (New Hall). There is a sense of quiet there still. Dinas Bran Castle is worth the climb.
There are quiet places in most towns if you look for them. Back room of a bookshop, a churchyard, a small garden.