Antique Ideas

Daylight Saving Time Is Dumb.

There, I said it, but we were all thinking it. If it was a concept with current relevance and everyone played along, it might be understandable, but this is not the case.

The concept of adjusting the clocks has a contentious history, but began as a way to conserve energy. Franklin started it, Wilson ended it, Roosevelt brought it back and eventually, ‘Merica broke it. It took an act of congress to apply some uniformity, after the people couldn’t agree on which time to use. Today, we mostly play by the same rules, with the exception of a few stalwart states that had to go their own way. I’m looking at you, Arizona.

Aside from clock confusion, there’s the whole problem of people saying it wrong, inciting the wrath of the Grammar Police. Additionally, there are entire subsets of the population, who are unable to remember, “Spring forward, Fall back”. As clever as it is, I shouldn’t be subjected to this meme in March:

 

While we’re on the topic of things that used to be good ideas, but have since ceased to be viable options…

Please stop trying to use the FSBO (for sale by owner) method of transferring property. Please.

Once upon a time, it worked. Of course, once upon a time, a handshake was considered a legally binding contract, but this is no longer the case. We live in a society where some people are just looking for a reason to initiate a lawsuit, disclosure laws change regularly and what you don’t know about the legalities can, in fact, hurt you.

Nevermind the paperwork for just a minute, how are you going to deal with the “buyers”? The people who come knocking on your door without appointments, representation, or even a letter from a bank? How are you going to weed out those that might pose a risk to your property or, worse, your safety?

When you choose to go it alone, you’re at the mercy of the limits of your knowledge and experience. It’s scary to think about, honestly. To take the edge off, here’s a light-hearted plea, conveying the same message: (Click Here.)

Here, in the present, “once upon a time” doesn’t really apply, but by hiring a Realtor to list your home, you have a much better shot at a happy ending to your story.