What is *Saving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond the Clock* about?

*Saving Time* examines how modern timekeeping, rooted in industrial capitalism, perpetuates social inequities and climate crisis. Jenny Odell explores alternatives like ecological rhythms, geological timescales, and pre-industrial cultures to reimagine time as a medium for possibility rather than productivity. The book critiques standardized clock-time as a tool for profit, urging readers to embrace more humane, nature-aligned temporal experiences.

Who should read *Saving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond the Clock*?

This book suits readers grappling with burnout, environmentalists, and fans of Odell’s *How to Do Nothing*. It appeals to those interested in critiques of capitalism, climate activism, or redefining productivity. Philosophers, artists, and anyone questioning society’s obsession with efficiency will find its insights transformative.

Is *Saving Time* worth reading?

Yes—*Saving Time* offers a timely critique of how clock-time fuels existential dread and inequality. Odell’s blend of philosophy, ecology, and social theory provides actionable frameworks for resisting oppressive time structures. Praised as “deeply hopeful” and “subversive,” it’s ideal for readers seeking meaning beyond productivity culture.

What are the main themes in *Saving Time*?

Key themes include capitalism’s theft of time, climate crisis as a temporal issue, and alternatives like geological or ecological time. Odell links standardized clocks to colonial labor systems and argues that reclaiming time involves attuning to natural cycles and resisting profit-driven schedules.

How does Jenny Odell critique modern timekeeping in *Saving Time*?

Odell traces timekeeping’s origins to industrialization, where clocks optimized labor exploitation. She argues standardized hours alienate us from natural rhythms, reducing time to a commodity. This system, tied to extraction and social control, exacerbates climate anxiety and inequities like mass incarceration.

Does *Saving Time* discuss climate change?

Yes: Odell frames climate crisis as a temporal collapse, where short-term profit motives clash with Earth’s long-term cycles. She advocates aligning with geological timescales to foster stewardship, emphasizing that ecological breakdown stems from humanity’s distorted time perception.

What solutions does *Saving Time* propose for time scarcity?

Odell suggests embracing “resistant temporalities,” such as agricultural seasons, bodily rhythms, or communal time. By rejecting productivity-centric clocks, we can prioritize care, ecological reciprocity, and collective liberation. Examples include attuning to bird migrations or geological processes.

How does *Saving Time* relate to Odell’s earlier book *How to Do Nothing*?

Both critique capitalism’s hijacking of human attention and time. While *How to Do Nothing* focuses on reclaiming attention from tech, *Saving Time* examines how industrial timekeeping enslaves modern life. Together, they offer a roadmap for resisting exploitative systems.

Saving Time | Summary, PDF, EPUB, Audio

Saving Time

Jenny Odell

3.6 (4613 Reviews)

Philosophy Mindfulness Productivity

Overview

Key Takeaways

Author

FAQs

In "Saving Time," Jenny Odell dismantles our clock-obsessed culture, revealing how modern timekeeping became a tool of control. What if escaping the "corporate clock" isn't about productivity hacks, but rediscovering pre-industrial rhythms? A radical manifesto for reclaiming time beyond capitalism.

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Feel the book through the author's voice

Deep Dive42min

Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights

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Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning

Fun19min

Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way

Best quote from Saving Time

The cruel irony is that more "freedom" demands ever more self-mastery and self-surveillance, turning individuals against themselves with spreadsheets, averages, and point systems.

Explore Your Way of Learning

Saving Time isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in Philosophy. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

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"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

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"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

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Download This Summary

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Saving Time

Jenny Odell

3.6 (4613 Reviews)

Philosophy Mindfulness Productivity

Overview

Key Takeaways

Author

FAQs

Explore Your Way of Learning

Quick Summary9min

Feel the book through the author's voice

Deep Dive42min

Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights

Flash Card10 insights

Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning

Fun19min

Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way

Best quote from Saving Time

The cruel irony is that more "freedom" demands ever more self-mastery and self-surveillance, turning individuals against themselves with spreadsheets, averages, and point systems.

More Like This

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The Rhythm of Being: Beyond the Clock

Key Takeaways

The Clock That Rules Us All

00:00

Time wasn't always money. The seemingly neutral ticking of our clocks masks a history of control and exploitation. When factory owners declared "time is money," they weren't stating a universal truth but advancing a specific worldview that served their interests. The mechanical clock emerged not as an innocent technology but as a tool for control-first organizing prayer schedules in monasteries, then coordinating labor in factories. Colonial powers imposed Western clock time worldwide, judging societies by how "progressed" their time systems appeared. Imagine the revealing exchange between a colonial commissioner demanding to know an Aboriginal man's numerical age, while the man referenced natural markers like "no whiskers"-two fundamentally different ways of understanding time colliding. Modern management techniques have disturbing origins in slave plantations, where owners meticulously tracked labor output. Thomas Jefferson calculated precise labor outputs in his memoranda, while plantation owners conducted time-motion studies similar to those Frederick Winslow Taylor would later popularize. The concept of selling your time through wages is surprisingly recent. In early 19th-century America, self-employed people outnumbered wage earners. After the Civil War, both white workers and Black freedpeople compared wage labor to slavery. As miner Richard L. Davis noted, "none of us who toil for our daily bread are free."

The Self as Factory

Time's Unequal Distribution

Leisure as Commodity

Beyond the Anthropocene's False Inevitability

Creating Alternative Time Communities

Time as Co-Creation, Not Conquest

Discover more

Spot hidden habits killing productivity

LEARNING PLAN

Spot hidden habits killing productivity

In an era of constant digital noise, traditional time management is no longer enough to stay effective. This plan is designed for professionals and students who feel busy but unproductive, offering the tools to reclaim focus and master cognitive energy.

1 h 46 m•4 Sections

Manage time and habits to live authentically

LEARNING PLAN

Manage time and habits to live authentically

This plan is essential for professionals and creatives feeling disconnected from their daily routines and burnt out by traditional productivity. It provides a roadmap for anyone seeking to reclaim their time by building habits rooted in personal values rather than external pressures.

2 h 35 m•4 Sections

Time tracking

LEARNING PLAN

Time tracking

Time tracking is the foundation of effective productivity, yet most people operate on autopilot without understanding where their hours actually disappear. This learning plan is essential for professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone feeling overwhelmed by competing demands who wants to regain control of their schedule and accomplish what truly matters. By combining awareness, practical tools, and optimization strategies, you'll transform from reactive to intentional in how you spend your most valuable resource.

2 h 20 m•4 Sections

Boost My Productivity

LEARNING PLAN

Boost My Productivity

In an era of constant digital noise, traditional time management is no longer enough to stay competitive. This plan is designed for professionals and students who want to shift from being busy to being truly effective by mastering focus and energy.

2 h 36 m•4 Sections

Cut social media time waste

LEARNING PLAN

Cut social media time waste

Social media platforms are engineered to capture and monetize your attention, costing the average person 2-4 hours daily in mindless scrolling. This learning plan is essential for anyone feeling overwhelmed by their screen time, struggling to focus on meaningful work, or sensing that digital habits are preventing them from living according to their values. It's particularly valuable for professionals, students, and anyone seeking to reclaim their time and attention from the attention economy.

2 h 15 m•4 Sections

Manage Energy, Not Just Time

LEARNING PLAN

Manage Energy, Not Just Time

Traditional time management approaches often lead to burnout by focusing on squeezing more tasks into limited hours. This learning plan teaches a more sustainable approach that prioritizes managing your energy—not just your calendar—for professionals seeking better performance without sacrificing wellbeing.

1 h 57 m•5 Sections

Stop doomscrolling

LEARNING PLAN

Stop doomscrolling

In an age where the average person spends 3-4 hours daily on their phone, doomscrolling has become a widespread habit that drains productivity, mental health, and precious time. This learning plan is essential for anyone who feels controlled by their devices—from professionals struggling with focus to students battling procrastination to anyone wanting to reclaim their attention and live more intentionally.

2 h 6 m•4 Sections

Be productive, learn about time management and self develop myself, learn about mindfullness

LEARNING PLAN

Be productive, learn about time management and self develop myself, learn about mindfullness

In our fast-paced world, the ability to manage time effectively while maintaining mental clarity is essential for personal and professional success. This learning plan combines productivity systems, mindset development, and mindfulness practices to help anyone feeling overwhelmed create a balanced, intentional approach to daily life.

2 h 3 m•4 Sections

Explore Your Way of Learning

Quick Summary

Saving Time Summary in 9 Minutes

Break down key ideas from Saving Time into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.

00:00

Flash Card

Top 10 Insights from Saving Time in a Nutshell

Distill Saving Time into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight key principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.

Fun

Saving Time Lessons Told Through 19-Min Stories

Experience Saving Time through vivid storytelling that turns innovation lessons into moments you'll remember and apply.

00:00

Personalize

Experience Saving Time in your own way.

Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 1,000,000 Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 1,000,000 Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

Start your learning journey, now

Download This Summary

Get the Saving Time summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.

Saving Time by Jenny Odell Summary

Overview of Saving Time

Similar books to Saving Time

Best quote from Saving Time

Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to Saving Time Summary in 9 Minutes

Flash Card Mode - Top 10 Insights from Saving Time in a Nutshell

Fun Mode - Saving Time Lessons Told Through 19-Min Stories

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Download Saving Time PDF

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Saving Time by Jenny Odell Summary

Overview of Saving Time

Similar books to Saving Time

Best quote from Saving Time

More Like This

Key Takeaways

The Clock That Rules Us All

The Self as Factory

Time's Unequal Distribution

Leisure as Commodity

Beyond the Anthropocene's False Inevitability

Creating Alternative Time Communities

Time as Co-Creation, Not Conquest

Discover more

Spot hidden habits killing productivity

Manage time and habits to live authentically

Time tracking

Boost My Productivity

Cut social media time waste

Manage Energy, Not Just Time

Stop doomscrolling

Be productive, learn about time management and self develop myself, learn about mindfullness

Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to Saving Time Summary in 9 Minutes

Flash Card Mode - Top 10 Insights from Saving Time in a Nutshell

Fun Mode - Saving Time Lessons Told Through 19-Min Stories

Personalize Mode - Read or listen to Saving Time Summary in 0 Minutes

Download Saving Time PDF

Download Saving Time EPUB

More Like This

Key Takeaways

The Clock That Rules Us All

The Self as Factory

Time's Unequal Distribution

Leisure as Commodity

Beyond the Anthropocene's False Inevitability

Creating Alternative Time Communities

Time as Co-Creation, Not Conquest

Discover more

Spot hidden habits killing productivity

Manage time and habits to live authentically

Time tracking

Boost My Productivity

Cut social media time waste

Manage Energy, Not Just Time

Stop doomscrolling

Be productive, learn about time management and self develop myself, learn about mindfullness