"Time
is a very curious thing. Ask anyone on the street if they know what time
is, they are sure to answer positively. But then ask them to explain
it to you and they will most certainly be at a loss. People often talk
about time with a negative connotation, because in some way it is linked
to our own mortality. A favorite quote of mine about time is from the
science fiction movie Star
Trek: Generations (Indeed many science fiction stories often turn
a good phrase about time) ``Time is the fire in which we burn'' also
there is the famous quote from the great 19th century composer Hector
Berlioz. ``Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all
its pupils.'' We have a belief that time
exists independent of us, but is it perhaps only something that is measured
by our minds' and bodies' perceptions?"
-Marcelo Alejandro Maidana |
Arbitrary
Time
The basic unit
of time is the second (all other measurements being multiples in one
way or the other). What is a second? A second is sixtieth of a minute,
which is a sixtieth of an hour, which is one twentyforth of a day, etc.
More precisely, it is equal to 9,192,631,770 cycles of radiation in a
change in energy level of the cesium atom. Indubitably, the measurements
are completely arbitrary; if there were only thirteen hours in a day,
for example, the second would be nominally obsolete. Standards of time,
however, were not conceived as constants of the universe; rather, their
purpose was to synchronize people, normalize measurements, and place
events in a relative sequence. For present considerations, this nomenclature
is sufficient. Moreover, it reveals several interesting assumptions.
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Empirical
tests with atomic clocks have demonstrated that time passes slower in
a frame of reference that is in motion as opposed to one that is stationary.
We would like to assume that the world is the stationary point of for
time's reference, but clearly, that is not true. The Earth rotates around
the sun at 100,000 km/h, which is in motion around the galaxy at 800,000
km/h, and so on -Hawking. When say the universe has existed for thirteen
billion years since the big bang, are we justified in using an inconstant
scale? The difficulty in finding an absolute measurement of time therefore
lies in the problem of finding the one immutable and stationary point
in the universe. Since all motion is relative, this task is impossible
taking with it all hope of absolute time. While this discussion of time
is far from complete, it is sufficient in terms of the dialogue."
Original text here |
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Relativity..
Elementary knowledge
teaches us that time as constant, fluid, and linear. The metaphor of
time as an arrow in flight concisely encapsulates the idea. On the other
hand, personal reflection reveals that perception of time is irregular.
The maxim, “time flies when you're having fun” is
a good example. After all, everybody has experienced the palpable deceleration
of time during a monotonous lecture or its disappearance during a difficult
test. To
reconcile the difference, we correctly assume our perceptions are imperfect.
But is our elementary knowledge correct in itself? Academically, the
theory of special relativity posits that time is inconstant, determined
by one's relative speed -Einstein. |
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"We
seem to have biological clocks that work on a set schedule. Anyone who
has flown across several time zones and experienced jet lag knows this
to be true. Time also seems to vary with culture. In the language of
the Navaho there is no past, present, and future tense like those of
many languages. Events are talked about with regard to their quality
of happening rather than their temporal quality. Is it possible that
time may not really exist, but is just an artifact of our biological
and cultural evolution?"
- Marcelo Alejandro Maidana
Let's now take a closer look at how time is
defined;
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Today's
society often complain about "lack of time". This does not
mean time has somehow been lost during the centuries. It just reflects
that we are no longer capable of controlling how we spend our time. The
average worker is constanly aware of time and it's implications, especially
when failing to meet deadlines. Our economic systems have evolved around
time and demand strict schedules. Despite this, most computers and clocks
are not showing the True Time. Ten different watches will show ten different
times! Knowing the right time in todays business will not only help you
stay in control but also reduce unnecessary stress. Next
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