What time is it?

May 9, 2005 by Naomi.

My wall clock does not show the same time as my computer screen which is set accurately (I trust) when the microchip was manufactured. I have to manually set my wall clock to the correct time. And so I muse where does time come from? My arrogant race, Homo sapiens, believe we invented time. A researcher I once worked with was told to publish or perish. He came up with documentation that chemical action was a function of time and he made a scholarly point.

Our arrogant race did indeed invent clocks - ways of letting us know where we are in the space of time. Clocks help us mark time. But we did not invent time. Time is the measure of a natural law, part of physics, I suppose. We divided the earth into sections because mathematically there is logic to it. Then we devised objects that measured the time within our lives - sun dials and elaborate clocks. Wonderful machines based on how metals reacted and how artistically the inventor was inclined - because the human mind does work within nature.

And that takes me back to the researcher. His document was published. That did not guarantee his his worth in his space. Time was not really the issue. We must get more from time spent. Clocks are used to measure how much we get. Clocks regulate our lives and we are forced to follow stressful schedules which drive us relentlessly to produce - money or fun. When we decide just where we want to go - if we ever do decide exactly where we want to go - we will understand time and fit into the true nature of things.

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