I recently was surprised by an article about people who struggle to tell time. With digital clocks and watches, the basic ability to read a clock is beginning to lose steam. I assumed it would be mostly Gen Z or millennials failing the test. It looks like all generations have a decent number that struggle with this.
Some 16% out of 2,000 people asked in a survey said it often took them several seconds to read a traditional analogue clock.
They said they have to look at the ‘big hand’ and ‘small hand’ to ‘figure it out’.
Younger people were those who struggled the most, with 21% in Gen Z – between age 18 and 24 – saying they found telling the time a problem.
It becomes less of an issue in older age groups, with 19% of Millennials – aged 25 to 35 – struggling.
Those between 35 and 44 came in at 15%, ages 45 to 54 said 13%, and only 12% people aged 55 and over struggle.
I didn’t anticipate the high Gen X numbers. It’s understandable if you’re rusty going down the mountain if you haven’t skied in years, but I can’t figure out how you get rusty telling time. Maybe the younger generation can blame Apple. That makes sense. There may not be an excuse for us older folk. We grew up with it.
I’ve been considering getting an Apple Watch because I like how it can record your vitals. The trade off would be giving up wearing my current everyday watch and emotionally, I may not be able to make that trade just yet. I’ve had my watch for over 15 years and developed an attachment to it. Plus, I don’t want to chance losing my time telling ability and join the ranks of the 12% that can’t tell time. Maybe Apple should disclose potential side effects just like Big Pharma does on their medication commercials on TV. You know the ones we all cringe at when we hear them. We should all be aware of the potential risks. Buyer beware – may cause the inability to tell time…
Time of the Season was released by the Zombies in 1968. Oddly enough, it was a hit everywhere else but native UK.
“‘Time of the Season’ was the #1 in most countries in the world, but it wasn’t in the UK. It’s been released three times in the UK, and it’s never been a hit. But the extraordinary thing is that everybody knows it in the UK. We played Glastonbury this year, and we had a big audience of the young kids who went completely mad when we played ‘Time of the Season.’ So, it has become, strangely enough, a classic in the UK, but it’s never been a hit.”
If Time of the Season found a resurgence, maybe there’s a glimmer of hope of one day the young reaching back to appreciate the dying art of reading time. Maybe. Only time will tell.
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It's the time of the season
When love runs high
In this time, give it to me easy
And let me try with pleasured hands
(To take you in the sun to) Promised lands
(To show you every one)
It's the time of the season for loving
What's your name? (What's your name?)
Who's your daddy? (Who's your daddy?)
(He rich) Is he rich like me?
Has he taken (Has he taken)
Any time (Any time)
(To show) To show you what you need to live?
(Tell it to me slowly) Tell you what
(I really want to know)
It's the time of the season for loving
What's your name? (What's your name?)
Who's your daddy? (Who's your daddy?)
(He rich) Is he rich like me?
Has he taken (Has he taken)
Any time (Any time)
(To show) To show you what you need to live?
(Tell it to me slowly) Tell you what
(I really want to know)
It's the time of the season for loving
MyGenXerLife 
Love that song! I refuse to buy an Apple watch lol
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I’m a maybe… but it may be awhile…
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That’s sure a classic song. Funny how some regions embrace a song while others don’t. I think a similar issue exists with calculators in that we can lose our ability to calculate on our own. I consider it a bit of mental workout to do my arithmetic on paper, old school style.
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I used to be able to do math in my head. Since I use excel so much, it’s slowed me down.
I have to thank you for highlighting this. I think I have a little more empathy now for those being rusty telling time. That article honestly perplexed me.
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Yes, like anything, I guess, we definitely need to practise those skills or they’re lost.
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Analog all the way. F those watches. I already have a stupid ass phone pinging me every 10 seconds. I do not need more, thanks.
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Lol that’s exactly how I feel too.
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Old school FTW 🤘
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Cool
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Cursive handwriting is also going the way of reading clocks…
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I recently learned they no longer teach it in elementary school
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yeah i find it sad that if a signature is needed it is now acceptable for the younger generations to just put an X
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Apple Watch has a million different watch faces you can choose from. You can set it to look like a beautiful analog watch and meanwhile get all the health benefits.
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Ah… nice
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Love that song!
When I taught 3rd grade, I taught kids to tell time on an analog clock. It was like pulling teeth! The kids just didn’t get it for a very long time. I think with all of our digital gadgets, analog clocks will eventually go the way of the dinosaur, like writing checks. 🙄
I’m pretty attached to my Fitbit. I like how it measures my fitness level, quality of sleep and heart health.
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I’m still pretty archaic… we still write checks…
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I have difficulties with analog clocks because of my dyscalculia. it’s one of the symptoms. ^_^ I wonder if that survey took that into consideration when counting the numbers?
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I’m learning there are a number of things being phased out… check writing, handwriting, math in my head… maybe telling time is just one of those things
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I think if you already had problems telling time (Gen X and above) would be the only way you would still have issues. I still use checks (only to pay half of a bill my wife handles and as gifts) and balance a checkbook. As a double measure of comfort because bills don’t always process immediately. A check book helps keep me on track.
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I think you’re right about that.
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