Comments on: How people in the US spend their day http://unclutterer.com/2009/08/04/how-people-in-the-us-spend-their-day/ Daily tips on how to organize your home and office. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:41:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Oliver Ruehl http://unclutterer.com/2009/08/04/how-people-in-the-us-spend-their-day/comment-page-1/#comment-40327 Oliver Ruehl Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:13:21 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=6189#comment-40327 Hi Erin, That is a very interesting, but also shocking chart. It shows how much need there is for entertainment after a day of hard work. Not even enough time to think or to socialize. As long as our work ethics don't change (us germans work the most hours in the whole of Europe, but for what price?) these charts will look devastating. Need to go back to my TV. Errrrr. Book! Book! I wish I'd get this chart for Europe, too ;-) Kind regards Oliver Hi Erin,

That is a very interesting, but also shocking chart.
It shows how much need there is for entertainment after a day of hard work. Not even enough time to think or to socialize.

As long as our work ethics don’t change (us germans work the most hours in the whole of Europe, but for what price?) these charts will look devastating.

Need to go back to my TV. Errrrr. Book! Book!

I wish I’d get this chart for Europe, too ;-)

Kind regards
Oliver

]]> By: Karyn http://unclutterer.com/2009/08/04/how-people-in-the-us-spend-their-day/comment-page-1/#comment-40306 Karyn Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:45:08 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=6189#comment-40306 I think it's kind of sad that "Watching TV or movies" crowds out "Relaxing and thinking" for the 25-64 age group. Says a lot about our society, right there. :-P As for the amount of socializing in a given age bracket, children at home or not, etc., one important factor being overlooked is introversion vs. extroversion: We introverts place a premium on setting aside enough time for Quality Solitude, in which we "relax and think." My life is focused, by choice, on solitude, punctuated by selected socializing. I like to think, deeply and extensively, and to write; it's hard to imagine how a life full of constant external activity would leave room for that! When I do socialize (whether in-person or online), not surprisingly much of it is focused around discussing ideas and the inner life. ;-) TV? What's that? :-D I think it’s kind of sad that “Watching TV or movies” crowds out “Relaxing and thinking” for the 25-64 age group. Says a lot about our society, right there. :-P

As for the amount of socializing in a given age bracket, children at home or not, etc., one important factor being overlooked is introversion vs. extroversion: We introverts place a premium on setting aside enough time for Quality Solitude, in which we “relax and think.” My life is focused, by choice, on solitude, punctuated by selected socializing. I like to think, deeply and extensively, and to write; it’s hard to imagine how a life full of constant external activity would leave room for that!

When I do socialize (whether in-person or online), not surprisingly much of it is focused around discussing ideas and the inner life. ;-)

TV? What’s that? :-D

]]> By: Anne http://unclutterer.com/2009/08/04/how-people-in-the-us-spend-their-day/comment-page-1/#comment-40299 Anne Wed, 05 Aug 2009 02:24:48 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=6189#comment-40299 I would love to see comparison charts for other countries. I recently read about Denmark being much more laid back than the US; similar story with Germany. That would be interesting to see! Very fun chart!! I would love to see comparison charts for other countries. I recently read about Denmark being much more laid back than the US; similar story with Germany. That would be interesting to see!

Very fun chart!!

]]> By: Kel http://unclutterer.com/2009/08/04/how-people-in-the-us-spend-their-day/comment-page-1/#comment-40298 Kel Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:58:27 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=6189#comment-40298 Great graph - it's neat to see how people spend their time :) @Kat: I have friends that come home from work around 5-6ish, turn on the tv, make dinner & eat in front of the tv, then stay there till about 9-10 pm. We don't have a tv so when visiting them it's a treat for me, but after 2 days of that I'm ready to go back to my tv-less existence. They do that 3-5 nights of the week. It's kinda sad really. Great graph – it’s neat to see how people spend their time :)

@Kat: I have friends that come home from work around 5-6ish, turn on the tv, make dinner & eat in front of the tv, then stay there till about 9-10 pm. We don’t have a tv so when visiting them it’s a treat for me, but after 2 days of that I’m ready to go back to my tv-less existence. They do that 3-5 nights of the week. It’s kinda sad really.

]]> By: meg http://unclutterer.com/2009/08/04/how-people-in-the-us-spend-their-day/comment-page-1/#comment-40297 meg Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:53:28 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=6189#comment-40297 This data collection has actually been going on for years. I'm currently reading "Bowling Alone" which was published in 2000 and has analysis of the changes in this time spent since the middle of the 20th century. TV has definitely shifted the way we spend leisure time. Also, the amount of time spent on things like work vary around the country. It's a very interesting data set, though. Makes us wonder if we're spending our time as well as we can, for our own well being. I have started trying to watch much less TV lately and get out an participate in the community and socialize with my friends. I don't miss the TV at all, and feel much happier and healthier as a result. This data collection has actually been going on for years. I’m currently reading “Bowling Alone” which was published in 2000 and has analysis of the changes in this time spent since the middle of the 20th century. TV has definitely shifted the way we spend leisure time. Also, the amount of time spent on things like work vary around the country. It’s a very interesting data set, though. Makes us wonder if we’re spending our time as well as we can, for our own well being. I have started trying to watch much less TV lately and get out an participate in the community and socialize with my friends. I don’t miss the TV at all, and feel much happier and healthier as a result.

]]> By: Erin Doland http://unclutterer.com/2009/08/04/how-people-in-the-us-spend-their-day/comment-page-1/#comment-40296 Erin Doland Tue, 04 Aug 2009 23:54:48 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=6189#comment-40296 @Sara -- Oh yes, my writing is incredibly unclear there! Ack!! @Sara — Oh yes, my writing is incredibly unclear there! Ack!!

]]> By: Sara http://unclutterer.com/2009/08/04/how-people-in-the-us-spend-their-day/comment-page-1/#comment-40295 Sara Tue, 04 Aug 2009 23:38:59 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=6189#comment-40295 @Erin: Sorry, I guess I misunderstood your statement "I definitely play more sports than others in my age bracket (you can only see “sports” labeled on the graph for the category Age 15-24)." I thought you meant your age bracket was 15-24. My fault! @Erin: Sorry, I guess I misunderstood your statement “I definitely play more sports than others in my age bracket (you can only see “sports” labeled on the graph for the category Age 15-24).” I thought you meant your age bracket was 15-24. My fault!

]]> By: Erin Doland http://unclutterer.com/2009/08/04/how-people-in-the-us-spend-their-day/comment-page-1/#comment-40294 Erin Doland Tue, 04 Aug 2009 23:30:07 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=6189#comment-40294 @Sara -- I'm in my late 30s. @Sara — I’m in my late 30s.

]]> By: Sara http://unclutterer.com/2009/08/04/how-people-in-the-us-spend-their-day/comment-page-1/#comment-40293 Sara Tue, 04 Aug 2009 23:26:39 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=6189#comment-40293 Wow, you're only age 15-24? You're very organized and mature for someone in that age bracket! :) Speaking of age brackets, I hate how the chart groups those age 25-64 together. I know that's supposed to be the "prime" working years, but still - a 25-year-old spends their time much differently than a 64-year-old. I would have liked to see the age range broken up a bit more. Other than that, the graph is great and a lot of fun. Wow, you’re only age 15-24? You’re very organized and mature for someone in that age bracket! :)

Speaking of age brackets, I hate how the chart groups those age 25-64 together. I know that’s supposed to be the “prime” working years, but still – a 25-year-old spends their time much differently than a 64-year-old. I would have liked to see the age range broken up a bit more. Other than that, the graph is great and a lot of fun.

]]> By: Lori Paximadis http://unclutterer.com/2009/08/04/how-people-in-the-us-spend-their-day/comment-page-1/#comment-40292 Lori Paximadis Tue, 04 Aug 2009 23:11:41 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=6189#comment-40292 Interesting, but it doesn't seem to accommodate for doing two things at once. For example, I could count taking a walk with friends as both exercising ("playing sports" I guess) and socializing. Lots of people eat while they work (I often do, for lunch anyway -- not that that's necessarily good). When I'm working, I'm on the computer 90% of the time, so those are almost total overlap categories. Still, completely fascinating, and fun to play with. Interesting, but it doesn’t seem to accommodate for doing two things at once. For example, I could count taking a walk with friends as both exercising (“playing sports” I guess) and socializing. Lots of people eat while they work (I often do, for lunch anyway — not that that’s necessarily good). When I’m working, I’m on the computer 90% of the time, so those are almost total overlap categories.

Still, completely fascinating, and fun to play with.

]]> By: Dave http://unclutterer.com/2009/08/04/how-people-in-the-us-spend-their-day/comment-page-1/#comment-40280 Dave Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:14:11 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=6189#comment-40280 1% on computers ant about any time, I doubt that one, and only 7% looking for a job that don't have one, that might be why a lot of them can't find one. TV I have the TV on, but not focused on it in the evening for a few hours. 1% on computers ant about any time, I doubt that one, and only 7% looking for a job that don’t have one, that might be why a lot of them can’t find one. TV I have the TV on, but not focused on it in the evening for a few hours.

]]> By: infmom http://unclutterer.com/2009/08/04/how-people-in-the-us-spend-their-day/comment-page-1/#comment-40278 infmom Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:01:47 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=6189#comment-40278 I love the way they formatted the chart to look like one big sinkhole. :) I love the way they formatted the chart to look like one big sinkhole. :)

]]> By: Michele http://unclutterer.com/2009/08/04/how-people-in-the-us-spend-their-day/comment-page-1/#comment-40277 Michele Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:55:13 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=6189#comment-40277 I think I socialize more than my peers. I watch very, very little TV -- I probably spend the equivalent time reading and on the Internet -- and try to get out and be sociable whenever I can. But I'm also single, so any "watching cable/Netflix with the boyfriend/husband" time that I may have is spent reading, on the Internet, or out with friends. I think I socialize more than my peers. I watch very, very little TV — I probably spend the equivalent time reading and on the Internet — and try to get out and be sociable whenever I can. But I’m also single, so any “watching cable/Netflix with the boyfriend/husband” time that I may have is spent reading, on the Internet, or out with friends.

]]> By: Erin Doland http://unclutterer.com/2009/08/04/how-people-in-the-us-spend-their-day/comment-page-1/#comment-40275 Erin Doland Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:14:11 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=6189#comment-40275 @Lose That Girl -- The data collection begins at age 15 ... so a good portion of the people in that category are probably still in school full time. So, I imagine that it's students that are bringing down the average working time for the age group. I'm more surprised by the reduction in socializing, though. When I was in school a great portion of my time was spent socializing ... @Lose That Girl — The data collection begins at age 15 … so a good portion of the people in that category are probably still in school full time. So, I imagine that it’s students that are bringing down the average working time for the age group. I’m more surprised by the reduction in socializing, though. When I was in school a great portion of my time was spent socializing …

]]> By: Brett http://unclutterer.com/2009/08/04/how-people-in-the-us-spend-their-day/comment-page-1/#comment-40273 Brett Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:26:28 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=6189#comment-40273 I find it crazy that so many people are up so late! I'm lucky to make it to 11p on an averave night. I find it crazy that so many people are up so late! I’m lucky to make it to 11p on an averave night.

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