They say "time is money", "time is a variable", "time is just an element to measure other things, like speed"... So, what IS time? Let's see...
I have to go by the area of Canary Wharf daily (for those who don't know, it is the London UK equivalent to Wall Street), and every time I do so, I feel more and more confused. I feel like Momo watching the Gray Men in Michael Ende's fable. If you happen to be by during "working" time, the streets are semi-deserted, while the underground shopping centre glitters with marbley floors, bank offices and shops. Then, at lunch time, a rush of hurried minions floods the area, all in dark suits, all on their mobiles, not a smile in sight, but many watches checked. They are hungry and impatient - they only have 15 or 30 minutes to get lunch, and "time is money"! So they queue at the counters of the fast-food places (half the mall) or tap their toes while waiting to purchase a ready-made meal (usually some sandwich or similar) at the upper-range department store's supermarket.
I cannot honestly understand it.Why would anyone willfully pay for stress, indigestion, and low nutritional values? When my student tried to explain (he is doing a Masters in Economics, so he should know) and told me that it was because the option was between that or skipping lunch, I asked about the possibility of taking food from home, so you just would heat it up in the office, and eat quietly - no need to wait and moan. The idea didn't seem to compute. He repeated that the option was between fast-food and skipping lunch; then, because "consumers are smart", they would choose the former, and not waste time at a regular (slower) restaurant or cooking at home, because "time is money, and then you have more time".
Then it was that I asked: "time for what?"
Blank. Blink, blink. Blank.
Those people I see do not have their time for their enjoyment, but to "produce" more, to meet more expectations. Running after time, because it is so valuable (and we want that which is valuable, more so when it is scarce) is the privilege of the wealthy. Honestly, they tie themselves to the time/money hamster wheel, and refuse to let go. They know it's an illusion, a mirage, a scientific trick to make sense of other things. But they hang on. I feel sorry.
My time is not money, it is freedom. I chose to have time and do away with some extra money. After all, our time in life is limited and, like the old adage says, "a shroud has no pockets" - you cannot take time, or money, to the afterlife. Money will not buy you more time, and time cannot of itself generate more material things.
What is your time?
