I am a 32 year-old white collar worker (biotech industry) and I have certainly had my share of partying when I was younger, but I find myself less interested in it these days. I’m still not married with kids, but it’s the age, as you say. However, I find that ever since I was 16 or so I was far more productive in the late mornings/afternoons, and ever since then found that the 9-11ish hours were completely useless to me. A lot of people are naturally more productive a good while after they’ve woken up (hormones, natural day/night cycle – I’m sure you’ve met them as well as I, and working in the field I can assure you there is nothing about us that needs medical attention). It’s simple biological variability and it’s just as insulting of you to say we all need to see a doctor as you’d say all blonde people should dye their hair because the majority have dark hair (or other types of discrimination).

Rather, I think society should recognize that people are individuals, and treat them accordingly. That is, if it is to make the most out of its most precious resource, the human capital. 

I’m sad to see that you refer back to how things were in the 1900′s. They still are so today in what we call the third world, or the worse-off parts of the developing world. I think very few people in the West would think we shouldn’t try to improve anything at home just because in some parts of Africa they live to be 50 at most, and in some parts of Asia they work 12 hours per day. Humanity has always looked forward and tried to improve its condition, and I think most of us understand that things were a lot worse in the past, but that’s not a reason to stop us from thinking what we can still improve now. 

You’re right, what the author of this article is suggesting is mostly relevant to young and single people, not to those reaching middle age, with teenage children and house mortgages. I don’t think he’s suggesting giving up the usual 9-5 hours, nor do I think that will happen anytime soon. I think he understands that some people’s habits, preferences, or circumstances are better suited to that. He’s simply suggesting an alternative for those who prefer otherwise. If available, I would pick it, even though I’m a bit past his age group. The young workers, white- or blue-collar, constitute a significant part of the workforce, and we are simply turning off the dynamism and creativity that is typical of the younger, but less so of the more seasoned workers, if we force them to work to schedules best designed to suit the needs of the older folks. Think how productive you’d be if you had to be at work “on call” mostly in the afternoons. I think that is what many young, unattached young people would like, for reasons not only limited to partying and drinking, as you say, but even if they’re not into drinking, others such as most of their social life revolving around that of their (possibly drinking and partying) friends, or habit of a lack of rigid schedule (being fresh out of school), or simply lack of responsibilities such as children – aside from the purely biological reasons I mentioned above.

Don’t give all your productive hours to your job, save some for yourself!  Heck I bet they find someone that will fill in those hours and maybe more, so don’t worry about it.

I still stand by my statements.  Final statement to the author, don’t drink out of the bong.