[Leanan]

Michael Downing, author of Spring Forward: The Annual Madness of Daylight Savings Time, was on CNN this morning. He argues that DST is not and has never been about energy conservation. It does not save any energy, studies have repeatedly shown. It may do the opposite.

So why do it, with all the disruption it causes? To encourage consumption. Like factory farmers who leave the lights on 24/7 to encourage their chickens to eat more, retailers want people to consume more. You're more likely to stop and shop if it's daylight when you get out of work.

According to Downing, two of the lobbies that most strongly pushed DST are the candy industry and the golf industry. Candy makers say they sell millions of dollars more candy because of DST, because kids will be on the streets longer on Halloween. The golf industry sells $400 million more in golf clubs, tees, greens fees, etc., due to DST.

And now they're moving DST up even earlier, which is not only causing problems with computers and other electronics, it's going to be a headache because we'll be out of synch with the rest of the world for a few weeks.

All to sell more candy and golf clubs...

[AirlinePilot]

I tend to agree, more daylight = more activity rather than beginning the days rest with the darkness. Its human biorythms. I also believe this had nothing to do with saving energy, it just doesn't make sense when you think about it.

Had not thought about the candy thing! Brilliant!

[aahala]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Leanan', 'C')andy makers say they sell millions of dollars more candy because of DST, because kids will be on the streets longer on Halloween.

[Pablo2079]

I know that there was some sort of movement to keep DST past Halloween. Something about parents feeling better about their kids trick or treating when it's light out (rather than dark). I'm not sure how much of an issue this is any longer since it seems like Trick or Treating is becoming less and less popular. There are a lot fewer kids doing it now than there were back when I was a kid!

I wish they'd just leave the time as DST all year round. I'd rather have it lighter later in the day and stay that way.

[Leanan]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'I') wish they'd just leave the time as DST all year round. I'd rather have it lighter later in the day and stay that way.

[WildRose]

I've read that people are actually crankier for a few weeks following the switch to DST. Teachers notice a difference in their students. Personally, I could do without DST. Up north here, in the summer months, darkness comes so late in the evening that it's hard to settle down for sleep. Working night shifts in the summer in a high-rise building is weird, but also pretty, as I experience our sunsets, short nighttime and sunrises from my desk.

[amorando]

The origin of Daylight saving is an agrarian society that the US had in past generations. It's purpose was to give farm children more light to go to school. The purpose had nothing to do with energy. Energy was not a concern at the time the laws were enacted.
The puiposes of daylight savings time do not apply anymore and it should be dropped. We are no longer an agrarian society.

[zoidberg]

Having being born in Saskatchewan, land of no DST I will heartily agree to the abolition of DST. I'll never really get used to it.

[shakespear1]

Very interesting information. I always thought it was about energy but the points raised here make equal sense Thanks

[Newsseeker]

I saw someone being interviewed on the news this morning that said it was about consumption and that people drive to the malls more if there is daylight.

[Starvid]

DST is absolutely vital around here as we get so few hours of light in the winter. Not being active during the brief light leads to clinical depression.

Uppsala is as far north as Anchorage. In the far north of Sweden there are two weeks of polar night. Yes, that's right, the sun doesn't rise for two weeks.

Of course, it stays up for two weeks at midsummer too.

[smallpoxgirl]

You guys are so brainwashed. This is a clear conspiracy going to the top levels of government to prevent the 911 truth movement from having enough time in the day to spread their message.

[Armageddon]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('smallpoxgirl', 'Y')ou guys are so brainwashed. This is a clear conspiracy going to the top levels of government to prevent the 911 truth movement from having enough time in the day to spread their message.

[amorando]

People don't have to succumb to the government conspiracy. Read, "crossing the Rubecon" by Michael Ruppert, search on you tube for the films of the planes hitting the buildings and the arguments that the jet fuel could not have exploded those buildings, rather it had to be explosives set off at the base. I have no doubt that there was a conspiracy to commit 9-11. Otherwise why has the GW administration acted as it since, to invade Iraq on trumped up charges of supporting terrorists. People in future generations will see it clearly where most people currently cannot. They cannot for two reasons. Most people find it too revolting a development to think that people in their government could have aided the 9=11 killings. Second the dominant media has bought into the government line hook line and sinker and even after a time and a close look at the facts would not want to admit that they had bought the party line so completely without having reasonable doubt and looking at the facts.

[Armageddon]

wtc 7 is all I have to say about 911 on this thread. I dont want to highjack it.

[MattSavinar]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('smallpoxgirl', 'Y')ou guys are so brainwashed. This is a clear conspiracy going to the top levels of government to prevent the 911 truth movement from having enough time in the day to spread their message.

[east2west]

No DST here in China, it seams to work ok.

[I_Like_Plants]

We tried it once in Hawaii and that was a freakin disaster...... I believe it was decided, No More, and that was that. As for Arizona, I think it's seen as a Statist attempt at Federal deprivation of State's Rights, just like MLK Day.

[pea-jay]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('east2west', 'N')o DST here in China, it seams to work ok.

[rsch20]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('I_Like_Plants', 'W')e tried it once in Hawaii and that was a freakin disaster...... I believe it was decided, No More, and that was that. As for Arizona, I think it's seen as a Statist attempt at Federal deprivation of State's Rights, just like MLK Day.