What is time?
Since the beginning, we have tried to answer this question by capturing time. We have defined what it is. Time tics by in seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, and inevitably in years and increments of years. We built clocks to help us see time pass, our phones, iPods, computers, and stoves have the time kept on them, so we can watch it pass and keep up with our schedule.
We are obsessed with capturing and taming the things that we cannot see. Time runs most of our lives. But time is something that passes its not a clear concise thing that you can hold, see, smell, or taste. None of our senses sense it. It simply... is.
There is another thing like time, in fact, it is closely intertwined. This thing is age. You ask a toddler how old they are and they will proudly state that they are 3 or 4, but sometimes they also throw in a "And I'm a big boy!" Sometimes they simply say whatever age they want to. For a couple of years I told people I was 18.
Naturally, we all smile and pat the little tykes head and indulge them, letting them say it, and knowing that eventually, they'll figure things out.
We have defined things so that our heads can deal with the in-sensible. Some of our definitions make perfect sense. Seriously, how would the world work if we didn't have time? We wouldn't be able to say "I'll see you in a week," "Wait just a sec," or "A couple of days ago..."
Time helps us function as a society. So, what does age do? Does it help society function, is it simple math, does it make things easier, and what does it mean to us?
I certainly don't have all the answers I want, but I can share with you what I feel, have experienced, and concluded.
So this is what I shall be posting about in the near future. For a little while at least.