Time
Time
Kung Fu Panda
Yesterday is history
Tomorrow is a mystery
But today is a gift
That is why it is called the present
Time
Time flies
Like an arrow
Time is strange
Time flies like an arrow
Fruit flies like a banana
Time flies
Time flies like an arrow
[Time flies] like an arrow
Time flies
Time flies
[Time flies] like an arrow
[Time flies] like an arrow
[Fruit flies] like a banana
[Time flies] like an arrow
[Time flies] like an arrow
Fruit fly
Time fly
[Time] flies like an arrow
Or maybe not
Sometimes it’s really slow
Time drags
Time drags
Time is valuable
Is time real?
Find time?
Make time?
Is it all illusion?
It doesn’t wait
We CAN measure it
It’s a continuum
It won’t stop (will it?)
But what is it?
Can’t separate from space
Is time travel possible?
Yes! If you travel fast enough!!
Close to the speed of light!!
That’s very fast
Any cultural differences?
Monochronic cultures
• Do one thing at a time• Rigid approach to time• Strict agenda (plan)• Focus on task• Completion of job is important• Emphasize promptness
Polychronic cultures
• Multiple activities at once• Flexible approach to time• No strict agenda (plan)• Focus on relationships• Relationship more important than job• Promptness based on relationship
My story
In my early twenties …
I lived in the Sudan for one year
North Africa … pyramids etc
Pretty amazing, actually
Beautiful by the river
Incredibly nice food
Not much available in winter
Often felt a bit hungry
So it tasted even better!
Water was like this
Taken straight from the river Nile!
Also tasted great!
Local transport
Local transport
Middle of the desert
Beautiful and green by the river
I was a volunteer teacher at a High School
But I was completely useless
Didn’t know anything
People gave good advice
I always ignored it!
They said the water is delicious!
I said NO! NO!
Eventually I tried it
It was delicious
But our sense of time was certainly different
People were TOO relaxed
ME:
• When is the train coming?• When is the post coming?• When is the bus coming?• When does the holiday start?• Etc.
They said:
• Tomorrow• Maybe• Next Friday• Maybe• Etc
Except it wasn’t maybe
• I should have just relaxed• I would have had a better time• There was no point in thinking about
schedules all the time
Some African/Arab cultures have a less structured sense of time
We think:
Swahili has 2 words for time
Sasa: present time – Now!
Zamani: past time
Zamani: connecting souls
Zamani: a cycle
Zamani: not a straight line
Not like an arrow
So maybe our experience of time is different
So who’s right?
And who’s wrong?
Maybe it depends on context
But the water WAS delicious
I had problems with my stomach for a few days
Then I felt great
When I started drinking “normal” water
After I got home
I had stomach problems again
If I could have my time again …
I would just take my time
And enjoy it more