Saving Time

Discovering a Life Beyond the Clock

by Jenny Odell

4.0(234 ratings)

12 min read

Brief overview

This book challenges our everyday assumptions about time. It reveals how modern life has harnessed the clock to intensify work, standardize routines, and even erode our connection with the natural world. By journeying through history, personal stories, and social movements, it offers a fresh view on reclaiming time as a shared, life-giving resource.

Introduction

Have you ever felt like your days pass in a blur, with no space to breathe, yet you can’t pinpoint why? Like a hidden script, clock time shapes our thoughts about productivity, success, and worth. In modern life, we’re often taught to value every minute like a paycheck, but we rarely stop to ask if this is truly how life should feel.

Instead of simply giving tips on organizing your calendar, this book invites you to question the deeper forces that control time. It looks at how work was standardized in factories and how even well-intentioned ideas, such as self-improvement, can lead us into ever-tightening schedules.

From the experiences of online content moderators who must process horrifying imagery under strict timetables, to gig workers hustling day and night, the result is a common thread of unrelenting pressure. This summary doesn’t promise a magical cure. Rather, it shows how we can shift from squeezing more tasks into our day toward understanding time as a shared ecosystem.

Welcome to a world where rest, wonder, and meaningful connection are no longer distractions but vital parts of life. In these pages, you’ll find stories, history, and reflections designed to spark new ways of thinking—and living—beyond the rule of the ticking clock.

The Tyranny of Clock Time

Long ago, people measured days by sunrise and sunset, living closer to nature’s pace. Everywhere you turn now, there’s a clock: on your phone, on the wall, even on your wrist, nudging you forward. We’ve come to see hours as little slices we sell or spend, rarely questioning what that implies about our bodies, minds, or relationships.

Standardized time zones didn’t even exist in many regions until commerce and colonial power made them a global reality. Ships crossing oceans, railroads linking distant cities—all demanded a single, unified schedule. Over time, this rigid system seeped into every corner of life, blinding us to alternatives.

Yet we forget that clock time is just one way of experiencing life’s passage. Some cultures have looser schedules or count days in totally different cycles. Still, the industrial worldview often treats these approaches as inefficiencies. Today’s busy professional or content creator might joke about “not having enough hours,” but it’s actually a cultural condition, not just a scheduling slip.

What if we remembered that hours are not raw materials to exploit, but windows for living?

Looking to dive deeper into Saving Time?

Download our app to unlock every key idea and gain full access.

What is Saving Time about?

In "Saving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond the Clock," Jenny Odell embarks on an enlightening exploration of time's elusive influence over our lives. This compelling book challenges readers to reconsider how the construct of time has indoctrinated us into a cycle where the clock dictates productivity, success, and even our sense of self-worth. Through a vivid tableau of historical analysis, personal narratives, and cultural insights, Odell empowers us to reclaim time as a communal asset—a source of genuine connection and fulfillment rather than a relentless taskmaster.

Throughout human history, societies have grappled with the concept of time. Odell reveals how industrialization and capitalism transformed time into a unit of work, compressing our lives into schedules that prioritize efficiency over well-being. By weaving together stories of those who defy these conventions—including gig workers, social movements, and indigenous groups—the book offers a liberating perspective. It serves as a guide to recalibrate our approach to time, encouraging rest, leisure, and the cultivation of interpersonal bonds as antidotes to burnout and societal pressures.

"Saving Time" is a vital read for anyone seeking to step off the treadmill of modern life and embrace a world where time is less about relentless ticking and more about the shared, enriching experiences that instill purpose into our days. Its insights inspire an active pursuit towards a fairer distribution of time—a holistic approach that nourishes both community and individual well-being.

Review of Saving Time

"Saving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond the Clock" by Jenny Odell is an illuminating read that articulates a much-needed critique of how modern culture measures time and, consequently, human worth. The book's strength lies in its ability to unpack complex ideas with accessible prose, bridging historical contexts with contemporary struggles and offering readers practical insights into living more meaningful lives. Odell eloquently outlines how the commodification of time has shifted our relationship with work, leisure, and community, presenting a persuasive argument for rethinking time as a collective resource.

Among the book's key strengths is its relatable portrayal of the pitfalls within "time is money" culture. Odell provides numerous examples, from factory workers to freelancers, illustrating how the pressure to be perpetually productive chips away at our mental and physical health. Readers will find practical suggestions on how to resist these pressures, such as embracing "aimless moments" and focusing on community-driven schedules. Her writing blends scholarly insight with everyday wisdom, making the text both informative and applicable.

While "Saving Time" addresses systemic issues, its core message resonates on a personal level, appealing to anyone frustrated by the ceaseless race against the clock. The book's human-centric approach ensures a broad appeal, particularly to millennials juggling multiple roles, professionals navigating work-life balance, and activists advocating for equitable labor practices. Odell ultimately invites readers to envision a world where time underpins joy, care, and interconnectedness—leading to a resounding recommendation for this enlightening read.

Who should read Saving Time?

Professionals grappling with work-life balance: This book offers strategies to break free from the "productivity treadmill," fostering a healthier relationship with time.
Millennials navigating multiple roles: With its focus on equity and community, the book resonates with those juggling careers, family, and personal development.
Activists advocating for labor rights: Odell's critique of time commodification supports movements seeking fair work practices and systemic change.
People experiencing burnout: Individuals feeling overwhelmed by modern pressures will find practical tips to prioritize rest and well-being.
Those interested in cultural studies: Readers with a keen interest in sociology and cultural anthropology will appreciate the exploration of time across different societies.

About the author

Jenny Odell is an American multidisciplinary artist, writer, and educator. She holds a degree in English Literature from UC Berkeley (2008) and an MFA in Design + Technology from the San Francisco Art Institute (2010). Odell taught digital art at Stanford University from 2013 to 2021 and has exhibited her work at various institutions, including The Contemporary Jewish Museum and the New York Public Library. Her book "Saving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond the Clock" (2023) explores the cultural attitudes towards time and its historical relationship to labor and capital, following her previous best-selling book "How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy" (2019).