Why Every Year Feels SHORTER – The Bergson Time Theory

Summary

This video explores the philosophical and psychological aspects of time, focusing on French philosopher Henri Bergson's concept of 'La durée' (duration). It contrasts this with Einstein's clock-based view of time, highlighting how modern life’s routine and efficiency warp our perception of time. Bergson argued that true time is subjective, shaped by memory, emotions, and experiences, not by the ticking of a clock. The video also provides practical advice on how to reclaim time through novelty, mindfulness, and breaking routines to enrich life and make time feel fuller and more meaningful.

Takeaways

• 😀 Time feels like it's speeding up as we age due to how our brains perceive it, not because time itself is moving faster.
• 😀 French philosopher Henri Bergson proposed that real time, or 'la durée,' is based on personal experiences, emotions, and memories, not just measured by clocks.
• 😀 Routine causes time to feel like it's passing more quickly, as our brain stops forming vivid memories during repetitive tasks.
• 😀 Bergson disagreed with Einstein's view of time as a fixed, measurable dimension and instead argued that real time is subjective, shaped by consciousness.
• 😀 Time perception is influenced by intensity: emotionally rich moments feel longer, while routine tasks seem to fly by.
• 😀 Novelty helps slow down our perception of time, as new experiences force the brain to form more detailed memories, making time feel expansive.
• 😀 As adults, we accumulate fewer 'firsts,' which can cause years to blur together and feel like they pass more quickly.
• 😀 Bergson's concept of 'la durée' encourages rejecting the tyranny of clock time and embracing meaningful experiences to make time feel fuller.
• 😀 Neuroscience supports Bergson's theory, showing that stress and awe can stretch time, while routine and boredom compress it.
• 😀 The key to stretching time is disrupting routine, embracing new experiences, and practicing mindfulness to stay present and engaged in life.

Q & A

What is Bergson's theory of La durée, and how does it differ from Einstein's view of time?

Bergson's theory of La durée, or 'duration,' posits that real time is subjective and shaped by our emotions, memories, and experiences. Unlike Einstein's view of time as a fixed, measurable fourth dimension, Bergson argued that time is personal and fluid, felt differently depending on our mental and emotional state. For Einstein, time is impersonal and a scientific construct, whereas Bergson believed it is connected to consciousness and human experience.

Why does time seem to speed up as we get older, according to the script?

The script explains that as we grow older, our brain experiences fewer 'firsts'—unique, memorable events that anchor our sense of time. Without these vivid memories, our brain lumps time into broad categories, making it feel like it passes more quickly. Additionally, routine and predictability contribute to this sensation, as repetitive tasks don’t create new mental markers, causing time to collapse into a blur.

What role does routine play in how we perceive time?

Routine, according to the script, has a negative effect on our perception of time. When life becomes predictable, our brain switches to autopilot, leading to fewer vivid memories and a shrinking sense of time. Routine tasks, like commuting or scrolling through emails, do not form new mental impressions, causing time to feel compressed and dull.

How does Bergson's view of time relate to our emotional and subjective experiences?

Bergson believed that real time is not about the ticking of the clock but about our emotional engagement with life. Time feels longer or shorter depending on the richness of our experiences. For example, a deeply engaging conversation or a joyful moment can make time feel as if it is moving slowly, while boredom or routine can make time feel like it is racing by.

What does Bergson mean when he says that 'clocks measure intervals, not life'?

Bergson's statement highlights the distinction between mechanical time (as measured by clocks) and 'lived time,' which is our personal, emotional experience of time. While clocks divide time into measurable units, they cannot capture the depth or richness of human experience, which Bergson argues is the true essence of time.

Why does novelty stretch our perception of time?

Novelty stretches our perception of time because new and unfamiliar experiences engage the brain's hippocampus more intensely, creating fresh memories. These vivid memories slow our perception of time because the brain works harder to process new information. In contrast, routine and repetitive experiences require less cognitive effort, causing time to feel compressed.

What is the 'Paradox of intensity' mentioned in the script?

The 'Paradox of intensity' refers to the idea that the more intense and engaging an experience is, the faster it seems to pass. For example, a joyful and emotionally charged event, like laughing with friends, feels brief, even though it may have lasted a longer period. Our brains compress time during these rich experiences because we are fully immersed in them.

How do trauma and nostalgia affect our perception of time?

Trauma and nostalgia distort our sense of time by altering how we recall past experiences. Trauma can make moments feel longer, as the brain focuses intensely on the painful or distressing details. In contrast, nostalgia can make past events seem closer, as the brain revisits cherished memories, compressing them into a more immediate, emotional experience.

What does the script suggest we do to reclaim our perception of time?

To reclaim our perception of time, the script suggests we break out of routine and embrace novelty. Engaging in new experiences, like learning a new skill, exploring unfamiliar places, or even small daily changes, can make time feel more expansive and alive. Practicing mindfulness and being fully present in the moment also helps counter the effect of time speeding up due to distraction and routine.

What is the significance of the 1922 debate between Einstein and Bergson, and how does it relate to their differing views on time?

The 1922 debate between Einstein and Bergson was a pivotal moment where their conflicting views on time came to a head. Einstein treated time as a scientific, impersonal dimension, while Bergson argued that time is personal and subjective, tied to human consciousness and experience. The debate highlighted the tension between viewing time as a measurable entity versus an emotional and lived experience. Despite Einstein's scientific dominance, Bergson's ideas continue to resonate in fields like psychology and literature.