Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Time moves so quickly!

Perception is a strange thing. For instance, when taking a test I swear the seconds turn into minutes, yet when I'm enjoying time with my wife the hours turn into seconds. How is that? The old saying, "Time flies when you're having fun" definitely applies, but our sense of time passing can't possibly be that unreliable ... can it?

When I was actively pursuing martial arts (I still do, but can't devote my entire activity anymore), there were certainly occasions during simulated combat where time nearly stopped and it was like being inside a Matrix film. What happens is your brain is so hyper-focused and aware that its processing at a speed totally abnormal to usual life ... which has the result of stretching those times to ludicrous levels. So, it follows that when you aren't as hyper-alert--such as enjoying a date with your sweetheart--that time simply rushes past without your awareness.


As we age, we tend to relax in our daily lives. The world isn't as great a mystery to us, so we let our attention slacken. So, again, the youthful have an advantage in time (though I doubt they feel the same way about it). What's fascinating is hearing people complain about not enough time, or things going too slowly. We all know that time doesn't change, so why fuss? Maybe it's because we regret lost opportunity? Perhaps we yearn for an event to happen? Whatever the reason, time isn't as stiff a concept as math suggests. Our perceptions color everything we experience, including how long it takes to finish a test, or enjoy a circus.

- M

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