Commuting is not the same as setting time on fire. The distraction endemic negates the advantage and makes it worse.
The forced time in the car with limited options lets me use it somewhat productively, notably makes me do one thing. I spend that time thinking about work, taking phone calls, sometimes listening to podcasts and audiobooks. I have read zero books, but finished 2 audiobooks in the car this year. I find myself setting time on fire during weekends on social media. If instead of commuting the hours are spent on Netflix/Social media etc has gone up then the point is moot.
I take your point but this is more of a self discipline issue. I don’t think that the way to get things done is to be stuck in traffic so that you can’t goof off.
I quite like my (short) commute. Though it's either bus, subway, or bike. It's nice to get some exposure to the city, get some bookends for the work day, and (if biking) get some exercise in.
Generally we're talking 20-30 mins though. A much longer ~hour commute or something would definitely start to wear on me I think.
Commuting is not the same as setting time on fire. The distraction endemic negates the advantage and makes it worse. The forced time in the car with limited options lets me use it somewhat productively, notably makes me do one thing. I spend that time thinking about work, taking phone calls, sometimes listening to podcasts and audiobooks. I have read zero books, but finished 2 audiobooks in the car this year. I find myself setting time on fire during weekends on social media. If instead of commuting the hours are spent on Netflix/Social media etc has gone up then the point is moot.