Daylight Saving Time Has a Devastating Consequence That No One Is Talking About

Slate ^ | 10/31/25 | Mark Joseph Stern

[Borges]

Every fall, Americans are plunged into darkness an hour earlier when the clocks turn back at the end of daylight saving time. Many see the beginning of standard time as a mild annoyance. Sun lovers view it as the unfortunate start to a season of afternoon sunsets. Parents, as I can now attest, experience it as sleep-wrecking proof that the human construct of time is no match for the anarchy of toddlerdom. But I am convinced that our annual “fall back” is something worse than all of these things: not just an inconvenience, but an act of state-sponsored voter suppression.

[simpson96]

FTA: "You may not notice this—but perhaps, on some level, you do? Every presidential election since 2005’s DST expansion has arrived two days after the time change. Have you ever felt, walking to the polls or watching returns, that it’s oddly black, bleak, depressing outside? Are your memories of Election Days past (I’m looking at you, 2016) set against the backdrop of too-early nightfall that seems, frankly, like the end of the world? Mine certainly are."

Author is at right. Surprise! /sarcasm

[nickcarraway]

Why standard time over DST?

[nickcarraway]

I agree.

[Borges]

That’s the normal time. It’s DST that’s the abberation.

[dakine]

Ha! From Hawaii..

[TigersEye]

It is certainly a statement of government control over people’s lives.

I’m going to Standard Time (real time) and I’m not playing along next spring. All my clocks will remain on ST.

High noon is when the sun is at it’s zenith.

[metmom]

Preach it.

Getting dark so early does nobody cany good.

[Republican Wildcat]

But I am convinced that our annual “fall back” is something worse than all of these things: not just an inconvenience, but an act of state-sponsored voter suppression.

Really? Going back to normal time was designed to keep people from voting?

Falling back is also not "sleep wrecking" - that's spring forward where you lose the hour.

Lunacy.

[Republican Wildcat]

If we just stayed at normal time it would be more gradual rather than a sudden drop off one day.

The sun seeming to rise much later by staying in DST in the winter creates its own issues. It was tried before and was a disaster and quickly repealed.

[Wayne07]

“Getting dark so early does nobody cany good.”

It does good to people who get up in the morning to work and go to school.

[chud]

Permanent Standard Time is better for health.

Also, two-thirds of Americans want to get rid of Daylight Savings Time, yet the government keeps demanding that we change all of our clocks.

It's time for this nonsense to end. The Sun should be our guide.

[telescope115]

The big thing I hated about Standard Time was that I would go to work in the dark, and come home in the dark.

[Political Junkie Too]

Based on your screen name, wouldn't that be what you want?

-PJ

[telescope115]

But then you have the time zones to consider.

[decal]

Let the networks worry about that.

The more I think about this the better I like it - I’m gonna find some traffic court judge to make it The Law Of The Land.

[telescope115]

Yeah, now that I’m retired it doesn’t really matter. I used to get up at 4AM to be at work by 6. Getting dark early IS an advantage in the winter, I could get a few hours of t-scope time in before bed.

[nickcarraway]

Is it? Or all these things arbitrary?

[Az Joe]

Agreed

[SaveFerris]

We’re doomed!! 😃😄🤣🤣🤣

[SaveFerris]

They’re soooooo predictable...🙄🙄🙄

FROM THE SAME AUTHOR:

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