Unlocking the Secrets of Time: How to Create More of It

Photo by Gustavo Fring

The concept of time is something that has fascinated humanity for thousands of years. From ancient civilizations to modern-day scientists, understanding and managing time has been a constant preoccupation. But where did the concept of time come from? And more importantly, how can we use this understanding to better manage our time in the present?

Linear Time — Short History

The earliest known civilization to have a concept of time was the ancient Egyptians. They were the first to divide the day into 24 hours, and they also had a calendar based on the cycles of the Nile river. However, their concept of time was closely tied to the cycles of nature and the gods, rather than the abstract, linear concept of time that we have today.

It wasn’t until the ancient Greeks that the concept of time as we know it began to take shape. The Greek philosopher, Pythagoras, is credited with introducing the idea of time as a continuous, measurable quantity. He also introduced the concept of the “time cycle,” which is the idea that time is cyclical and repeats itself. This idea was further developed by the Greek philosopher, Aristotle, who introduced the concept of “time as a number” and the idea that time is measurable and can be divided into smaller units.

The concept of time as a continuous, measurable quantity was further developed by the ancient Romans, who introduced the concept of hours, minutes, and seconds. However, it wasn’t until the invention of the clock in the 14th century that the concept of time as we know it truly took shape. The clock, with its ability to measure time precisely and accurately, allowed for the development of industries and economies, as well as the organization of society as a whole.

Our Relationship With Time

But as our understanding of time has evolved, so too has our relationship with it. The fast pace of modern life and the constant demands of work and technology have made it increasingly difficult to manage our time effectively. We constantly wish that we could expand the 24h day so that we have more time to do stuff. We don’t have the healthiest relationship at the moment, as we keep trying to pressure & change what time is.