Time

Definition:

“Time” is a continuous, irreversible progression through which events occur from the past, through the present, and into the future. It is a fundamental concept in physics and human experience, often measured in units such as seconds, minutes, hours, days, years, and so on.

Etymology:

The word “time” comes from the Old English “tīma,” which is related to the Old Norse “tīmi” and the German “Zeit,” all meaning “time” or “period.”

Description:

Time can be understood and described in various ways:

• Linear Time: The most common perception of time, where it moves in a straight line from the past through the present to the future.
• Cyclical Time: Many cultures and religions view time as cyclical, with repeating patterns and cycles, such as seasons or reincarnation.
• Physical Time: In physics, time is a dimension in which events occur in a sequence. It is a central component of theories such as relativity.
• Biological Time: The biological rhythms and processes within living organisms, such as circadian rhythms, which regulate sleep and other bodily functions.
• Psychological Time: The subjective experience of time, which can vary depending on individual perception, attention, and emotional state.

Articles:

Herd Mentality:

The most significant driver of herd mentality among humans is the hypnotic influence of the clock and calendar, as the vast majority of people live their lives according to them. We are taught that there are 24 hours in a day, meaning that we are generally supposed to work for 8 hours, have 8 hours of free time, and sleep for 8 hours each day. However, there is not 8 hours of free time with all the chores people have to do, along with the rest they need.

Even if people are capable of being awake for longer than 16 hours, they are not allowed to because they have to be at work at a very specific time of the day. The vast majority of people work during the day within a very specific time frame called “business hours.” During these opening hours, every business is open, meaning that most people are at work at the same time, unable to make use of the other businesses being open. And when people get off work, have finished buying groceries, and making dinner, everything closes.

There’s only one day during the week with free time to do anything other than working, chores, and sleeping, and that is Saturday, as on Sunday, everything shuts down. If one wishes to get out of the house on Saturday to enjoy amenities, one has to spend a lot of time in traffic and standing in lines, as everyone does the same at the same time.

When vacation comes around, people travel away from home, meaning their houses, for which they have taken expensive loans and works hard to pay off, sit empty, as they are only used for making dinners and sleeping. And they all seem to travel to the same places, meaning they have to spend their vacations in traffic and standing in lines there as well, whether it’s to a tourist attraction or to their cabins. Even when they are on vacation, they tend to go to sleep and wake up at the same hours every day.

The clock and the calendar are made to distract people from having time to think, specifically to keep people from figuring out how badly they are getting fucked by a system that does not care about them.

Symbolism:

In Lewis Carroll’s book “Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There,” Time is anthropomorphized as a male character. This parodies how Abrahamic religious texts portray God as a man. The mockery of how ridiculous the concept is, is particularly emphasized in the Disney movie “Alice Through the Looking-Glass” (2016). Click to watch the video clip.

The movie “Alice Through the Looking-Glass” (2016) is worth watching as it is good at illustrating the illusion of time.

Time symbolize imprisonment.

People are bound by the limits of their lifespan, knowing that they have only a limited amount of time to accomplish their goals, dreams, and aspirations.

The rigid structure of daily routines and schedules can create a sense of being trapped. The constant pressure to adhere to timetables, deadlines, and appointments can make individuals feel like they are imprisoned by their commitments and responsibilities.

The inevitability of aging and the eventual decline in physical and mental capabilities serve as a reminder of time’s power. This can evoke feelings of being imprisoned by the natural progression of time, as individuals cannot escape the effects of aging and the approach of mortality.

Societal norms and cultural expectations tied to different stages of life can also symbolize imprisonment. People might feel constrained by what is expected of them at certain ages, such as getting an education, finding a job, marrying, and retiring.

The subjective experience of time can also symbolize imprisonment. For instance, when individuals feel bored or are in unpleasant situations, time seems to slow down, creating a sensation of being trapped. Conversely, when engaged in enjoyable activities, time seems to fly by, and the awareness of its passing can feel like a loss.

Being in prison is called “serving time.”

Articles:

Religion:

Time is often addressed in religious texts, emphasizing its spiritual and moral implications:

• In the Bible, in Ecclesiastes, chapter 3, verse 1 (NIV), it says: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
• In the Bible, in Psalm, chapter 90, verse 12 (NIV), it says: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
• In the Quran, in Surah Al-Asr 103:1-3 (Sahih International), it says: “By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.”