6 ms·
I'm able to shorten life by doing mindless "have to" tasks and consuming distracting media (music, books, movies, games, etc.) I'm able to lengthen it by delib
by jbaber 4y ago
I'm able to shorten life by doing mindless "have to" tasks and consuming distracting media (music, books, movies, games, etc.)
I'm able to lengthen it by deliberately, reflectively doing anything (thinking, programming, breathing, etc.).
I spent almost three decades in school -- grading and getting graded. I made that time race by as much as I could so I could get to the part where I have kids and a job that I can actually enjoy.
Now I'm savoring every minute. I feel the natural compression of time that comes with age, of course, but I'm more than able to counter it by consciously enjoying life.
- althea_tx 4y agoWell said. It’s worth adding that various mood altering substances can speed up our perception of the passage of life while impairing our ability to remember what happened.
- SyzygistSix 4y agoSome can slow it waaaay down too.
- jjeaff 4y agoDoes that also make those moments more memorable? I don't have any experience in it, but seems like an interesting possibility that when things seem to slow down you remember them better. Or maybe you remember them even less?
- SyzygistSix 4y agoIs an experience only fun or valuable when you can remember it? What does that say about all the things we remember incorrectly?
- althea_tx 4y agoGood question. My early 20s are a blur, partly because of recreational substances I ingested. At the time, the days felt long and full. The experience isn’t less fun or valuable but I wish I could access all of those memories. It’s not that I worry about the accuracy of the memories I’ve retained. I am saddened by the gaps in what I remember.
- althea_tx 4y agoTo be clear, I have no regrets and would make the same choices.