Andrew Week 6: Daylight Saving Time

    It's almost time to "fall back." In a few months, we'll "spring forward." The annual practice of moving our clocks ahead an hour, then behind an hour. Some people enjoy this practice, whereas others do not. Twice a year, we take our clocks off the wall and move the hour hand back or forward. This is called Daylight Saving Time. As annoying as this may be, there's one thing that's just as consistent as the clock change itself, whether or not we should. 

    Many people have very strong opinions about this subject. However, it generally depends on where you are. If you live closer to the equator, the more likely it is that you'll find people who oppose it. However, the further you move from the equator, the more likely it is that you'll find people in opposition to the practice. Why is that?

    First, it's important to understand how and why the practice originated in the first place. It is a common notion that founding father and scientist Benjamin Franklin invented the practice. However, this is simply false. The true story goes to a New Zealander named George Vernon Hudson in the 1890s. In truth, the reason why he wanted to implement the clock change was so he could have more time to collect bugs in the evening. World War One-era Germany was the first country to adopt it, but this was because they wanted more time to make weapons for their military. Today, around seventy countries currently use Daylight saving Time.

  Currently, there is a large debate about whether or not we should keep this practice. According the the University of Southern California (USC), it can be very damaging to our internal clocks and circadian rhythm to change our sleep patterns. USA Today says that it can be damaging to your heart, increasing health risks the following Monday. Marketplace.org, however, states that it can help the commercial economy. Whether you believe we should keep the practice or not, it is undeniable that this clock-changing, forward or backward, will always spark debate. Do you think we should get rid of Daylight Saving Time?

https://news.usc.edu/155186/is-year-round-daylight-saving-time-a-good-idea/

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2021/11/07/2021-what-benefits-does-daylight-saving-bring/6330065001/

https://www.marketplace.org/2022/03/16/how-will-making-daylight-saving-time-permanent-affect-the-economy/