Human lives are inextricably linked with time measurement – people count their age, daily routine, and separate seasons and days. The chapter from Lightman’s (1993) Einstein’s dreams, dated June 18, 1905, devoted to the Great Clock and Temple of Time, raises the question of how measuring time changes human perception. The chapter describes the Temple of Time in Rome, to which a long line of pilgrims stretches. The Temple contains the only clock in the world, and 12 pilgrims, which are replaced every hour, chant the course of time. Although earlier, time also went and everything around changed, people otherwise understood its course, and such an invention as a clock surprises and scares, luring them into a trap.
The discussed chapter presents an unusual view of time and its understanding. The main theme presented in the story is that every action made by people costs their time, and measurement shows how quickly time is running out, which scares people. Although the book describes a non-existent world that tied people to the Great Clock, the topic is highly relevant to the modern world. The trends of the 21st century make people rush, waste no time, and chase trends, which leads to a feeling of lack of time, fear, and anxiety.
Lightman’s story and the actual history of the invention of mechanical clocks are significantly different but have some parallels. The first such clock appeared in Europe in the 14th century, was huge, and was placed in towers (McFadden, 2019). Gradually, they changed and spread around the world to people. Therefore, the story in Einstein’s dreams surprises with such detail as the existence of only one clock in the world and the use of people in the Temple. However, there is a parallel – the clock in the story and real life led to changes in people’s lives, making them think about the transience of time. Simultaneously, the fact that people strive to measure time is natural because the process helps in life organization and consistency to which humanity strives. Thus, while measuring time can scare people, it is an essential and integral part of everyday life.
References
Lightman, A. P. (1993). Einstein’s dreams. Pantheon.
McFadden, C. (2019). The very long and fascinating history of clocks. Interesting Engineering. Web.