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This is definitely one of the saddest blogs I have read in a while. This can't be good for people's mental health. Isn't this yet another example of society addressing symptoms rather than causes? Shouldn't we be addressing the work-life balance instead of opting to live a pressure-cooker life?

This sad story reminds me of a favorite poem, by W H Davis (1871-1940):

"What is this life if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs

And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,

Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,

Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,

And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can

Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare."

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While I am sorry to have made you feel sad, I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment. Watching TV shows and movies at double-speed is, in particular, a trend which I still do not fully understand. Skimming through a pre-recorded lecture at such a pace does, however, make sense. In any case, yes, there is more to life that must be savored at a slower pace. Thanks for reading and sharing your feedback.

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Thanks very much, Mark; but really no need to apologize. I'm grateful to you for educating me about the state of the human condition in all its many facets, good and bad, happy and sad!

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Beautiful poem, Tirion. I didn't know it. Thanks for sharing it with us. I may use it in one of my essays. What's the title?

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Cool. It's called "Leisure."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._H._Davies

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