Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Time After Time...
Brittany: “It is possible to believe that all the past is but the beginning of a beginning, and that all that is and has been is but the twilight of the dawn. It is possible to believe that all the human mind has ever accomplished is but the dream before the awakening.”
As of late, I have been considering the concept of time. We see the effects of time everyday. It never stops for anything in this world, moves slowest in times of sorrow and quickest in times of joy. We are always longing for more of it, but with each gained moment, we edge closer to our own passing. It would be impossible to say that time is man-made, but man is the only one who places such emphasis on the division of time. As Thomas Mann stated, it “has no divisions to mark its passage…only we mortals ring bells and fire off pistols” to mark the beginning of a new era. The rocks and trees do not cry out because to them, every end is simply the beginning of another beginning. The continuing circle is absolutely mind-boggling to me.
Another interesting point is the current concept of time. It was only a little over 120 years ago that the standard of “global time” was determined at the Prime Meridian Conference. Before then, towns around the world were on their own local time, determined by the rising and setting of the sun. It is only since individuals became so hurried that the need for a uniform system arose. It seems that a nation with 144 different periods of duration (not to mention world times) would be rather chaotic. On the other hand, observing time in regards to the natural world would probably force people to slow down and be more in tune with the things that surround them. I suppose I am considering this more after watching “Shawshank Redemption” this weekend. I can’t imagine what the passing of time must be like in situations such as that…it’s a totally new concept. Heh. Okay, it’s TIME for me to head to class. Blah. Have a wonderful day.
¶ 1:49 PM
Brittany: “It is possible to believe that all the past is but the beginning of a beginning, and that all that is and has been is but the twilight of the dawn. It is possible to believe that all the human mind has ever accomplished is but the dream before the awakening.”
As of late, I have been considering the concept of time. We see the effects of time everyday. It never stops for anything in this world, moves slowest in times of sorrow and quickest in times of joy. We are always longing for more of it, but with each gained moment, we edge closer to our own passing. It would be impossible to say that time is man-made, but man is the only one who places such emphasis on the division of time. As Thomas Mann stated, it “has no divisions to mark its passage…only we mortals ring bells and fire off pistols” to mark the beginning of a new era. The rocks and trees do not cry out because to them, every end is simply the beginning of another beginning. The continuing circle is absolutely mind-boggling to me.
Another interesting point is the current concept of time. It was only a little over 120 years ago that the standard of “global time” was determined at the Prime Meridian Conference. Before then, towns around the world were on their own local time, determined by the rising and setting of the sun. It is only since individuals became so hurried that the need for a uniform system arose. It seems that a nation with 144 different periods of duration (not to mention world times) would be rather chaotic. On the other hand, observing time in regards to the natural world would probably force people to slow down and be more in tune with the things that surround them. I suppose I am considering this more after watching “Shawshank Redemption” this weekend. I can’t imagine what the passing of time must be like in situations such as that…it’s a totally new concept. Heh. Okay, it’s TIME for me to head to class. Blah. Have a wonderful day.
¶ 1:49 PM
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How very intriguing. In my last course at tech the professor proposed to us a concept about time. He said that time did not exist before the genesis of the universe. We usually think of time as a on going entity, seperate from events in our lives... as a constant (as Brittany said). A second is a second... a century is a century no matter if the world explodes or war and genocide destroys a nation. But what he meant was that time, as a construct of the human mind, needs a reference. How is one to tell how "long" a duration is without first being able to compare it to something else? (this all leads to einstein's basic theory of relativity and i am hoping someone with more knowledge correct my explinations) So perhaps our outlook on things we "cant" control is just a state of mentality. I suppose it can be reduced down to a mind over matter ideology. We all percieve the world around us differently. Each event effects each individual in a unique way. The human mind, being the conduit of perception for our very existance, is a fascinating thing.
Brittany: It’s cool that you mention the difference between biological and religious concepts of time because that is precisely what I am struggling with. I am currently enrolled in an upper division course that explores both creationism and evolution in depth. One of my hindrances in fully understanding evolution is my inability to grasp the biological concept of time. To imagine that the earth is millions of years old (science) is beyond my conception. Even as a young child, I was unable to fathom how anything could exist for what seemed to be such an infinitesimal stretch. Ah well – I suppose I have enough of creation/evolution jargon on my own without getting into it on the forum. Hehe. Just thought it was interesting. :)
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