By Fareed Zakaria, CNN
This week there was a gala event held at the Finnish Presidential Palace to celebrate the anniversary of the nation's independence. Guests were dressed to the nines - proud as peacocks of what they were wearing. But one woman was interested in a different kind of bird. Look closely at her dress in the video above. What do you see? It's an Angry Birds dress. Yes, that addictive smartphone game.
So is she the biggest fan ever of the game? No. It turns out she's married to a company executive.
Now, if you think I've just wasted 30 seconds of your time telling you about this, think about this: The world has wasted a total of 200,000 years playing the game - much of that in the last 12 months alone.
Just imagine what we could have accomplished if that time was spent productively.
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Hello, Fareed!
As far as I see your point, I can't help but think that one can ask "what we could have accomplished if that time was spent productively?" pointing that people spent an awful lot of years just sleeping. Although Angry Birds are not as important as sleeping time, entertaining in a broader sense is, and the little game is just an option in this case, no?
I find this game boring and don't wanna waste my time on it!
Too tough for you, Huh? I love Angry Birds – It is bomb-diggity.
What else am I supposed to do while taking care of business in a bathroom stall? Read a newspaper?
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I agree with you @brandizzi. "Productive" is relative and frankly, if angry birds helps me decompress I think it's time well-spent.
Forget birds
Lift up that dress and show us your cat;)
Meeeow
Imagine if, gasp, I'd instead wasted that time watching CNN. At least Angry Birds relieves my stress.
Imagine if Hitler had played Angry Birds instead of writing Mein Kampf - I bet their is a future trench coat mafia kid playing Angry Birds somewhere. the game probably takes time equally from good stuuf, bad stuff and neutral stuff (like other games).
The Trench Coat Mafia always gets a bad rap. Did you know that the perpetrators of the Columbine massacre were actually not members of the trench-coat mafia? They weren't even wearing trench-coats when they carried out the shooting.
I mean there are a lot of stuff people do that waste more time than a freaking angry bird game. Yet, this thing has been going around for a while and it is inevitable to make people do something productive nowadays with freedom and everything...So, this was really an unnecessary 30 second clip. He should have dramatized it or something to make it more appealing lol
He would have become frustrated being unable to beat it and lauch a genecidal campaign against birds.
Actually seems as if you're managing to do both then. . .
Still far from time spent watching TV per person in the US. TV watching in the US 158.5 hours a month per person, playing Angry Birds is just 4 hours a month per person. Just to put things in perspective. And it's good for peope to relax, makes us all more productive.
Honestly, who cares? Not every moment in life is necessarily meant to be 'productive.' If Angry Birds provides a bit of respit from a long day at work, or some entertainment on a break, then why bother complaining about this.
Exactly! Cripes I bet he doesn't allow his children to LAUGH lol
Exactly. How much time is wasted on the NFL?
Reading this article is 7 seconds I'll never get back.
Imagine if we handed out games instead of guns and crack.
So the lady was just advertising space?
I suspect that in practical terms the dress will just be part of a list of emotional cruelty charges directed at the poor lady's husband in an eventual divorce proceeding. Definitely not a fashion statement I expect to catch on.
I wasted time reading your article. And then I wasted time responding to it.
LOL!
"Just imagine what we could have accomplished if that time was spent productively."
hey now, that's just not a fair accusation to lay at the feet of Angry Birds. you might as well say the same thing of ALL free time; 'just imagine what we could have accomplished if we didn't watch sports, go to movies, play video games, go for walks, or take vacations.'
ok, i'll imagine that: we'd be overworked, overstressed, soulless, lifeless slaves.
thank god for Angry Birds!
Fareed. Hates the US and having fun. Who would have guessed.
The Zakaria' dress.... CNN is total waste of time news and not talking about real unemployment rates.
Plus "I used to play Angry bird just like you, But then I took an arrow to the knee"
Well I used to take arrows in the knee, til I took an arrow in the knee. So I now "waste" my productivity, not on Angry Birds, but on High Elves and Aela the Huntress.
I used to be social, like you. Then I took a Skyrim to the free time.
While it's hard to disagree that 200,000 years of person-time could be spent in more productive ways, the economic benefit of Angry Birds can't be denied. Many people are employed, much disposable income is being generated through the revenues generated by the franchise.
This commentary is simply not fair, and is ignorant and close-minded.
Entertainment is an essential activity for recuperation. You can't single out a game and label it "a waste of time" when people also play thousands of other games on many platforms, glue themselves to their TV sets watching ignorant comments such as this all day, or worse, go to facebook or text all day.
Angry Bird is a break out game that turned into a worldwide obsession and a very very profitable enterprise. Maybe we should learn from it instead of dismiss it.
Agreed, in principle. However, the reality is that Angry Birds and other games like it are built to be addictive. Quite literally, they are constructed to space the "rewards" (noises and graphics that cause a release of serotonin) exactly so that the player is compelled to play more...and more...and more.
Everyone is responsible for how he spends his own time, but Fareed has a point. Angry Birds–and most video games–it are engineered with ad revenue and end-user up-sell in mind. They are not simply about diversion.
This article is a waste of space and nonproductive.
Don't be a wet blanket. I read your article while taking a break from a volunteer project I am doing at my dining room table right now. We all need a break sometime. I don't watch TV, but I do read news online and play Angry Birds. It's about life choices.
That's 200,000 years people spent not physically harming one another, not robbing, not verbally insulting somebody else, etc.
You say it's a waste, I say it's a service to humanity.
Just Imagine if Hitler had played Angry Birds instead of writing Mein Kampf - I bet their is a future trench coat mafia kid playing Angry Birds somewhere. The game probably takes time equally from good stuuf, bad stuff and neutral stuff (like other games).
"The world has wasted a total of 200,000 years playing the game – much of that in the last 12 months alone.
Just imagine what we could have accomplished if that time was spent productively." What other productive things could we do instead of Angry Birds (which I never have played)? Keeping Up with the Kardashians? Jersey Shore? Going to a bar to drink? Gambling? Waiting in the drive-through? Smoking? Spending hours every day looking for non-existent jobs? Yeah, what a horrible game!
Hey Farred,
I got a wry laugh out of this one. Fareed, you are the commentator that I most trust for insightful, erudite observations about world politics. So I turned to this wondering what it was about – expecting something about her doing a political protest of some sort. You are absolutely correct. Much, much could have been done during that time. Thanks for reminding us that we all have an obligation to make our world better and the brains to do it f we are not wasting our time and hiding from reality. I'm certainly guilty of that and appreciate the wake up call!
really fareed? 'Just imagine what we could have accomplished if that time was spent productively."
you obviously are missing the point of the game. what sets it apart is that you can play a screen in 12 – 30 seconds. you can play it standing in line, while on hold, driving to the store with your mom, on the bus/train... it can be done putting time to use otherwise wasted. your claim that it takes all productive time and wastes it is short-sighted and generalistic.
and we all know that generalistic comments are not that bright to be making....
You obviously lack the intellect to be commenting here.
i also believe that millions of American who play sports or watch movies or TV (GPS) included waste millions of hours which can be used productively.
I waste my time on Angry Birds but it relieves my tension.
I agree....these games are consuming our souls..... I've got to go harvest my crops in Farmville now, please excuse me.
All work and no play, forget that, I want to live. I truly believe in the saying, I work to live, I don't not live to work.
Wow, he's right. My six year-old could have been scrubbing floors or doing something really important during that time. Really, Fareed?
Right!!! If she was scrubbing the floor, then you could have had time to play Angry Birds instead of her!!!!
If your six year old is as stupid as you are, that's probably about his/her future pay grade.
Fareed, are you running out of ideas to talk about?
A waste of time? I hardly think so . . . those egg-thieving pigs need to die!
We listened to this. How many years of productivity did that waste. Just more Sick Sigma stupidity (aka six sigma).
Is there a confession in that post somewhere? How many hours have *you* wasted on it Fareed – come on, admit it now.
200,000 years wasted playing Angry Birds? Here is some perspective on that.
If every person on earth (all 7 billion of them) played Angry Birds, 200000 years would amount to 15 minutes per person (give or take a minute).
If we only look at every person in the United States, (312 million), we are talking about roughly 5 1/2 hours per person.
Keep in mind, that is PER YEAR. Even if only 10% of the US Population plays, we are talking about 55 hours over the course of a year. That is slightly more than 1 hour per week. Honestly, I probably spend more time than that making number 2 each week.
To keep your angry birds time from being considered a waste by Fareed, I recommend you only play while making number 2, effectively doubling your productivity.
yes the hours I could have spent vacuuming and shampooing furniture that I missed
OK, I get it. You don't like the game. I can't say I do either. I have never played it. However, don't you think it's a little arrogant to criticize what other people do for fun on a national forum. Yes, you have wasted my time,.. again.
Fareed,
Compared to the effect of wars we have waged over millenia, the effect of a silly game on collective human productivity is insignificant.
If only there were no wars, worst of all those based on religion and bigotry, imagine how much more the human race would have accomplished. In fact, even the possibility of better productivity is constantly eroded due to the massive human resources committed to defending against the possibility of a war.
p.s. I know you have always spoken against war.
To paraphrase Bertrand Russell, time you enjoyed wasting was not wasted.
If this article didn't provide you with a short, sharp shock as you realized you have suddenly become your parents, complete with the assertion that there has to be something more useful to do than what you're doing now, then Mr. Zakaria, it should have.
Someone needs to play Angry Birds – Seasons..or Rio!! They are great! My kids love Angry Birds and so do I!
I just wasted a whole minute reading a mini-article by Fareed Zakaria where he criticizes people's choice of entertainment. The same could be said for the countless time "wasted" spent watching professional sports (way more than playing angry birds). This genius of a thought came to him from seeing a woman in a dress? Stick to political commentary Fareed, and let me manage my own free time.
Agreed. If you want to criticize something that is a waste of time and money shine the light on Pro Sports. Include most college sports as well. If you took all the money spent on these there would be no national debt.
"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" does not mean he is boring; it means he's not mentally sharp. The human brain MUST have down time to be more productive. If Angry Birds is effective down time for you, play away.
I suppose that that's why Mr. Zakaria is so "dull".
I don't know how much productive work I could get done while sitting in a waiting room at the doctor's office, or sitting around waiting for my oil to get changed. Which is primarily when I 'waste' my time on Angry Birds. So, perhaps this is more of a statement on how much time we HAVE to waste, than it is on how much time we choose to waste.
Why do you guys think Angry Birds is a stress reliever??? Its a stupid video game!
And this article tells us an interesting statistic of the 200,000 years blah blah!!
Fareed, is this slow news day for you ?
Fareed Zakaria is so full of himself. What a condescending d-bag. "Imagine if we'd used that time to be productive." In that case, don't ever watch a soccer game, seeing that people spent over 40,000 "years" watching the last World Cup match alone. Get over yourself!
I see nothing wrong with Fareed's exhortation. After all, is it not the quest to achieve something positive, be it in art, science or something else, that defines fulfillment in life?
Don't invoke freedom and argue that it's someone's right to be a chronic couch potato. Chronic couch potatoes earn only as much respect as they 'earn' – zilch.
she does have the same proportions....
BURN! LOL
Angry Birds is fun, but it's not original nor did it hold my interest beyond the free levels. If you want a game that challenges both your mind and your fingers, try MathFall. But I warn you, it's probably the hardest game you can play on the iPhone.
hey Fareed
I play Angry Birds when I'm the pooper. SO I'm accomplishing 2 things at once. Waste removal and entertainment!
Time you enjoy wasting, is not wasting time Fareed. And I don't even play this game.
Hello, Fareed!
How much time has been wasted watching a liberal clown like you? I would rather spend 200,000 years watching angry birds than 30 seconds of your nonsense.
Or imagine how much time could be saved by not ever paying attention to Fareed Zakaria and CNN....
Fareed is going to get visited by 3 ghosts this christmas.
Some games are invigorating, decompressing and good medicine for mind and body, but like many things in life they have high potent to become addictive. So it is not the question of how much we do spend on these, but can we really break off from the game when needed or come off the game after a predetermined reasonable time?
Hey Fareed
I'll start being productive when you do!
I have a Feeling Fareed is NOT good at the Game of Angry Birds!! Angry Fareed?
This coming from the biggest waste of time on TV or in any medium.
I prefer flippin birds. easier.
Zakaria – you are an idiot – proven again and again.
Fareed's got his hate on for AB!
Better not let him find out what the average Skyrim player has invested time-wise since it was released!
I'm surprised Fareed didn't associate this somehow with the decline and fall of the United States. Good to see you having a little bit of fun for a change, Fareed.
It's something to do on the toity! LOL
Nice looking broad in that dress. She could stand to lose a few pounds though. Guess the rich lifestyle from all that angry birds money has went to her figure.
It is no stupider than watching a bunch of football fans sit and scream at the TV all weekend. Dressed in their ugly team shirts and hats.
Maybe it's productive to enjoy yourself.
How many years have been wasted reading dumb articles written by Fareed? I don't know, but every second he has taken away from me has been worthless so far.
"Angry Birds" is fun, but if you want to learn to solve problems, "Plants vs. Zombies" is better. Hey! That sounds like Congress!
Humans have spent a lot of time on developing and enjoying the arts of all kinds, from painting, sculpting, music, movies/television, sports. Imagine what could be done if we gave up on all that and worked on something more useful.
Moral of tale: get that stick out of your butt. Everyone needs something to decompress and just enjoy life. It just turns out a large number of people like one simple game.
at least Zakaria offered a printed version of his story. The news' sites force us to watch minutes of ads before offering us two seconds of news....much of it so shortened, so poorly reported, or reported by us, ireporters it is not worth our time
Non sequitur. Define Productive.
they need to get over this angry birds thing because its not that big of a deal as everyone is hyping it up to be its a kids game kind of like facebook
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Thank goodness I thought the game was boring and tedious and quickly uninstalled it. That saved my life!
Meh.. people who consider video games to be unproductive time are either hypocritical or blind. Play is a major element of building your brain well into adulthood an old age.
1% – Those that create games like Angry Birds
99% – Those that waste time playing
Learning strategy and angles/geometry IS being productive, Fareed.
This assumes that those who spent the time are actually capable of being productive.
That's 200 years that people weren't out raping and pillaging
Hey RhagHead; Get a freaking life!
Hi Fareed, Thank you for sharing this very pertinent information. We do waste plenty of precicious time on games like this. Personally, I do play Angry Birds, but I will cut down after reading this article. America has to realize that we will become a third world country if we don't wake up. If you can't quit the game completely (because it is rather addictive) at least cut down severely on the amount of time spent engaging in it. As an American, i'll be the first to admit that much productivity and time is wasted and lost to the less important and menial things. Thanks for opening our eyes Fareed! Keep up the good work! WAKE UP AMERICA – WE ARE ON NOTICE IN EVERY AREA OF OUR LIVES & IN THIS ONCE GREAT SOCIETY. Let's all wake up and do better to make this nation the great place it once was, before it's too late.
omg.
i love you fareed, but i have to say: playing a fun game is a million more times more productive than talking about any of the gop candidates endlessly on 24 hour news channels, considering none of them will ever be president anyway...
Given that I play it for like 2 minutes at a time I'd love to hear what groundbreaking thing I could otherwise do in those short increments?
I was playing the game while being productive, I was nursing my baby.
I was entertained. Please continue.
I agree with Fareed's point about angry birds as time waster. But don't you guys think Fareed is reaching as far as to expect all humans may be like machines or perhaps like himself.
Not joking but we do spend so much time in the toilet, shouldn't we eat less so spend less time in WC? or we press our clothes and it takes time, considerable amount of it, shouldn't we just put on wrinkled ones and go on
Sorry Zakaria – you are correct. I will make sure that I am much more productive when I'm on the toilet – I'll bring my laptop with me that way I can play Modern Warfare 3.
Just imagine what we could accomplish if we spent our time productively?
I'm sorry this one of the most asinine comments I have ever heard. I can make you this promise Skeletor; I won't be wasting anymore of my time reading your crap articles.
I think more time (and money) has been wasted listening to Fareed. Just having an accent doesn't make you an expert at anything.
Imagine how much humanity could accomplish if no one ever took a break or a vacation .... =/
By this argument we would have NO leisure activities. Our lives would only count if we are engaged in PRODUCTIVE activities. We should be little worker bees, endlessly contributing to society and the greater good. Sounds like USSR propaganda to me. Imagine life without lying on your back occasionally just to look at the clouds. Sad.
Never mind the game, seriously, let's get to the point, THAT DRESS IS HIDEOUS! I hope they paid her a lot.
Honestly I feel like Fareed decided to take a cheap shot at angry bird simply because it a video game and not as "mainstream" yet as other forms of media. I dare Fareed to do the same to movies, sports, tv or any other leisure activity.
I don't even find Angry Birds that fun. It gets really annoying and then I turn it off. I usually spend my time outside, and in my neighborhood.
My son loves Agry Birds. My brother in law and his wife gave him a stuffed red bird at their wedding reception for my son being the ring bearer. I just downloaded it to my laptop over here in Afghanistan so i can play it at night before I go to bed. Even my seniors in my office play it on their iphones.
Maybe some of these people would have done bad stuff with that time "I was gonna shoplift stuff at the 7-11 but I sat around all day and played Angry Birds instead".
I have wasted years of my life as a CNN junkie. We should all work 168 hours a week so we don't get labelled as "unproductive".
With all due respect Mr. Zakaria, lighten up, the world is so tough and drastic, whats wrong with some mindless entertainment now and then?
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i wish we could fling a few angry bird bombs at iran!