Why Summer Makes Us Lazy By Maria Konnikovo
“Summer really does tend to be a time of reduced productivity. Our brains do, figuratively, wilt,” argues Maria Konnikova in “Why Summer Makes Us Lazy.” She asserts that bad weather improves productivity, while a hot weather can reduce attention and energy. While I agree that summer can make us lazy because of ideas of leisure, I disagree that bad weather can increase productivity because, when it is raining hard, I actually prefer to sleep than work.
I agree that summer can decrease productivity when people think of leisure and feel lower energy and attention, but it is not always true that bad weather boosts productivity when it may result in sleepiness. Konnikova provides a study in which students were less productive after seeing “pleasant
outdoor photographs” (para. 3). Another research suggests that hot weathers decrease attention and energy (Konnikova 5). I myself can feel less inclined to study if I know I would rather go out, and when it is too warm, I feel lazier too. However, bad weather is not that good for my productivity as well. When it is cold, I would rather sleep than work. Perhaps, like heat, there should be the right kind of coldness that is good enough for comfort but not too comfortable to feel lazier. Too much heat and coldness are both possible antecedents to being lazy.
Summer can make us lazy but so can cold weather. I like how Konnikova supported her arguments with studies but my anecdotal evidence disagrees with some of her points. When it is cold enough to feel sleepy, I am less, not more, productive. Different temperatures can affect my feelings toward work; too much coldness or hotness can be bad for my productivity.
I agree that summer can decrease productivity when people think of leisure and feel lower energy and attention, but it is not always true that bad weather boosts productivity when it may result in sleepiness. Konnikova provides a study in which students were less productive after seeing “pleasant
outdoor photographs” (para. 3). Another research suggests that hot weathers decrease attention and energy (Konnikova 5). I myself can feel less inclined to study if I know I would rather go out, and when it is too warm, I feel lazier too. However, bad weather is not that good for my productivity as well. When it is cold, I would rather sleep than work. Perhaps, like heat, there should be the right kind of coldness that is good enough for comfort but not too comfortable to feel lazier. Too much heat and coldness are both possible antecedents to being lazy.
Summer can make us lazy but so can cold weather. I like how Konnikova supported her arguments with studies but my anecdotal evidence disagrees with some of her points. When it is cold enough to feel sleepy, I am less, not more, productive. Different temperatures can affect my feelings toward work; too much coldness or hotness can be bad for my productivity.