Why time “speeds up” as we get older (2019) • Hacker News Board

Re: Why time “speeds up” as we get older (2019)

#161

Post by xtiansimon » Sat, Nov 06, 2021, 1:36 PM UTC

djmips wrote: post #6

Another hunch that I have is that as you get older you tend to have less unique experiences. I believe our brains compress the information and an entire day that was much like the previous day can just feel like it sped by quickly. Alternatively, if you go on vacation or change your routine then time will slow down as you process a lot of new information.

You want to experience a languishing day? Work as a poll worker for your local board of elections.

You see 2-5 elections per year.

The day lasts from 0500-2130h (at least here in NY)

New faces throughout the day.

Constant stimulation, followed by periods of inactivity.

Practically impossible to guess when someone will walk in the door.

Strict rules for how you’re supposed to conduct the election, combined with the anxiety of how your co-workers and yourself actually perform.

And then waiting for the results.

Re: Why time “speeds up” as we get older (2019)

#162

Post by Digit-Al » Sun, Nov 07, 2021, 10:26 AM UTC

pugworthy wrote: post #145

seoulmetro wrote: post #137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You weren't being "ageist". It's normal to assume that old people live at home and aren't out doing many things. It's also normal to assume that 16 year olds get acne. Please don't let someone censor you for acting rationally.

> It's normal to assume that old people live at home and aren't out doing many things No, it's not normal. Not at all. I hope for all that's good it's not your life when you're old, or if you're old it's not your life.

I think you are misinterpreting OP's comment. They didn't say that old people aren't out doing many things, they said that it was normal to assume that old people aren't out doing many things. There is a difference.

I still think that OP is incorrect that this is evidence that previous comment is not ageist. Just because most people hold the same prejudice doesn't stop it being prejudice.

Back in the 1920's it would have been quite normal for white people to assume that black people (like myself) were inferior. Just because it was normal doesn't mean it wasn't racist.

Re: Why time “speeds up” as we get older (2019)

#163

Post by seoulmetro » Sun, Nov 07, 2021, 11:06 PM UTC

pugworthy wrote: post #145

seoulmetro wrote: post #137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You weren't being "ageist". It's normal to assume that old people live at home and aren't out doing many things. It's also normal to assume that 16 year olds get acne. Please don't let someone censor you for acting rationally.

> It's normal to assume that old people live at home and aren't out doing many things No, it's not normal. Not at all. I hope for all that's good it's not your life when you're old, or if you're old it's not your life.

No. It's 100% normal.

>I hope for all that's good it's not your life when you're old, or if you're old it's not your life.

I have no idea what you mean here.

Re: Why time “speeds up” as we get older (2019)

#164

Post by seoulmetro » Sun, Nov 07, 2021, 11:08 PM UTC

ASalazarMX wrote: post #159

seoulmetro wrote: post #137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You weren't being "ageist". It's normal to assume that old people live at home and aren't out doing many things. It's also normal to assume that 16 year olds get acne. Please don't let someone censor you for acting rationally.

I stand corrected. My main point was that people whose days are more or less identical tend to forget what day it is. The second part of my original comment even shows that it can happen to young people, so age is not the main cause.

Exactly. Young people can lose their teeth in one instant too, but that shouldn't stop us assuming that older people have less teeth. Heck, even teeth don't care how old you are and can be lost at any age.

Re: Why time “speeds up” as we get older (2019)

#165

Post by seoulmetro » Sun, Nov 07, 2021, 11:09 PM UTC

Digit-Al wrote: post #162

pugworthy wrote: post #145

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> It's normal to assume that old people live at home and aren't out doing many things No, it's not normal. Not at all. I hope for all that's good it's not your life when you're old, or if you're old it's not your life.

I think you are misinterpreting OP's comment. They didn't say that old people aren't out doing many things, they said that it was normal to assume that old people aren't out doing many things. There is a difference. I still think that OP is incorrect that this is evidence that previous comment is not ageist. Just because most people hold the same prejudice doesn't stop it being prejudice. Back in the 1920's it would…

>Back in the 1920's it would have been quite normal for white people to assume that black people (like myself) were inferior. Just because it was normal doesn't mean it wasn't racist.

Not the same. You can't measure inferiority. You can measure activities, time and age.

I am right.

Re: Why time “speeds up” as we get older (2019)

#166

Post by seoulmetro » Sun, Nov 07, 2021, 11:11 PM UTC

pugworthy wrote: post #144

seoulmetro wrote: post #128

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not ageism to recognise the negatives of age... jesus christ.

That's fine as long as it's ok to point out the negatives of youth. But even that's not fine. Better to recognize we're all different, whether it be age, race, creed, orientation, cilantro/no-cilantro, whatever. VI vs EMACS tho - 'nother story.

No, that's fine.

Recognising that we're different is fine. That comes with recognising that some of us are the same.

Re: Why time “speeds up” as we get older (2019)

#167

Post by obruchez » Mon, Nov 08, 2021, 8:52 AM UTC

BiteCode_dev wrote: post #158

obruchez wrote: post #157

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wish I could find the time to meditate for more than 10-20 minutes everyday. But between family, sleep, exercise, work, hobbies, friends, etc., it's difficult to do it, unless I sacrifice something else. It seems like it's part of the problem: feeling that you have too many things to do will lead to the impression that time passes too quickly. But I can definitely believe that the more you meditate, the more you wi…

> family, sleep, exercise, work, hobbies, friends, Not to mention you should cook, buy fresh food, stay informed, be politically active, learn new things, keep your house clean, recycle, do health checks up, get a hair cut, but don't use your car for everything and spend some time in nature. Don't forget to read, meet new people, get to zero inbox and fix your shower curtain.

Exactly. It never ends. :) Life is all about prioritizing things. And probably compassion/self-compassion (i.e. don't be so harsh with yourself and other people - which helps with priorities, BTW).