Understanding Time: How We Measure and Perceive Days
In today's digital age, the exact time is seamlessly provided to us through smartphones, which have replaced traditional watches. However, the essence of understanding days goes beyond just the time displayed on our devices.
Modern Timekeeping and Its Impact
My phone informs me of the day and date, and I no longer wear a watch. Everything related to appointments and schedules is stored on my iPhone, making it a central hub for time management.
My watch, even if not worn, displays shorthand such as MON 1 for Monday the 1st of the month. The iPhone goes a step further, showing the Lock Screen with the date, like “Monday July 1.” The time itself doesn't indicate AM or PM, so I refer to the natural light outside. If necessary, I can ask Siri for the exact time, ensuring I am fully informed.
The Evolution of Time Measurement
The division of the day into 24 hours was established by humanity a long time ago. The Egyptians in the third millennium BC began developing this 24-hour system, with the Babylonians further subdividing each hour into 60 minutes and each minute into 60 seconds. The widespread acceptance of this system has made it the global standard.
Alternative systems have been proposed, but they often struggle to gain adoption. For example, the Swiss watch company Swatch introduced Internet Time in 1998, dividing the day into 1000 beats, with each beat equal to approximately one minute and 26.4 seconds. The beeps were denoted by the @ symbol, but this system was not widely adopted.
Designing a New Time System
If one were to design a new time system, the choice of the time unit would significantly impact the day's division. For instance, if the day were divided into 25 hours, with each second defined by the time taken for a cesium ion to oscillate in its mean position, the day would have a different structure. If another ion were used, the day would have a different duration of seconds.
Natural Time Perception
I determine the day by the calendar and sometimes by the moon phase. Being observant of nature, I rely on various natural indicators to measure time. The season is determined by the length of the daylight, general weather patterns, plant/tree foliage, bird and wildlife activity, and my own circadian rhythm.
Understanding time is an intricate blend of modern technology and natural observation. While modern gadgets provide precise time measurement, the human body and nature offer a broader perspective on the passage of days.