The perception of time has always perplexed me. Let me give you an example. Under normal circumstances, one would assume that a period of 20 years to a 60 year old, in retrospect, should seem, proportionately speaking, the same length of time as 4 years does to a 12 year old; in both cases it's a 3rd of their respective lives. However, we all know that time seems to pass more quickly the older one gets, so 20 years to a person in their 60s probably only seems like 10 at the most, which is a 6th of their life. But one 6th of a 12 year old's life is 2 years, so wouldn't that seem to him what 20 years feels like to a 60 year old? That must mean though, that 2 years and 4 years appear to be pretty much the same to a 12 year old. Or does it? See what I mean? It's confusing, isn't it?
However, regardless of whether I can get to grips with understanding what I just said or not, one thing I do know. Even if I'm lucky enough to live for another 50 years or so, it's going to fly by far more quickly than I'd like it to. It'll have passed before I even know it's begun. It doesn't seem fair somehow.
Now, can someone please explain what I'm on about?
2 comments:
I wish I could even debate this with you,but I cant.
When I turned forty I was overjoyed,single,almost mortgage free and still ready to take on the world.
Now I am nearing fifty,I have two children,a mortgage that I will never see ending,no real desire to do anything but read articles and do the odd bit of diy.
And I feel beaten down.
They say fifty is the new forty though..who knows I may have a middle age crisis and break free from the invisible shackles I voluntarily wear.......Hurrah!
And the scientists say that time is relative and subjective,thats okay if you are counting in milliseconds.
I suppose the way to look at things is this - if you were in a room with five ten year old kids, then you'd be the same age as all of THEM put together. Then perhaps you wouldn't feel so old - you'd be only five times ten, which doesn't seem too bad.
(I wouldn't recommend it 'though - look at what happened to Michael Jackson.)
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