This post may not resonate with all of my followers, especially the younger ones among you. Which begs the question, why are you following a old curmudgeon like me in the first place? I guess that is known only to you and your God, but I truly do thank you.
I was watching a science program the other day that dealt with the phenomenon of time, or more notably, the illusion of time. Basically, it states the idea that there is really no such thing as linear time, i.e. no past, no future. Rather, everything that has ever happened or will ever happen, is right now. I’m not about to try to elucidate that theory because it is so deep and so far above my level of intellect I wouldn’t have time to do it. (See what I did there?)
It did get me to thinking about linear time and how we are stuck with it anyway because the world would be chaos without it. Imagine trying to plan ahead or discuss past events without a reference to linear time? Let me suggest a couple of scenarios:
“Our daughter is getting married, we’d like you to come to the wedding.”
“When is the ceremony?”
“Right now.”
or
“I was just thinking about how amazing our Constitution is.”
“Yes, remind me again, when did our founding fathers meet about that?”
“They’re meeting right now.”
See what I mean?
So here’s some questions I have about age being just a number.
When I was in high school, circa 1960, I was required to read the book “1984” by George Orwell. Was I reading about something that could happen in 24 years or about something that might have happened 36 years ago? Or was Big Brother watching me read it in 1984?
I went to see the movie “2001: A Space Odyssey” by Stanley Kubrick in 1968. Was I witnessing the future in 33 years or seeing 19 years into the past? Or was Hal 9000 just playing with my mind?
The late artist Prince (or is he?) came out with a hit song in 1982 called “Party Like It’s 1999.” Was I looking forward to a party in 17 years or sorry that I am 21 years too late for it? I really hate to miss parties.
Do you understand my problem now? As I see it, there are two possible solutions to this conundrum. One, you explain to me in the comment section how it is that time doesn’t really flow, or two, I stop watching the Science Channel.
Thank you for the illusion of your time.
