For the last 18 years I have been in Marketing, and for the past 15 years it has revolved around the digital world. In 2003 I launched a digital marketing agency, and in 2006, I launched a social network. Professionally and personally, I have been tied to the digital world, and since the start of the 21st century, my life has felt like it has been in hyper drive. But why?
I assumed this had to do with me getting older as many people senior to me stated it comes with having children and aging. But then I met 18 year-old Noah at a volunteer project this weekend, who told me time for him seems to be flying by. That seemed crazy to me. At 18 years old, time was moving at a perfect pace and I’d give anything to have that back. Since my conversation with Noah, I’ve meditated on this thought and have come to a theory.
Three years ago I wrote a blog on rethinking boredom, pointing to the fact that boredom drives creativity and that technology has effectively eliminated the state of boredom. We turn on our devices the moment we feel it, and we are immediately distracted once engaged. But what does this have to do with speeding up time?
Everything.
Think about the days at work that seem to fly by. These are the days you hit the ground running the moment you arrive and the throttle doesn’t let up until you leave. Now think about a slower day at work. You start at 8am. Two hours later, it’s 8:07am.
Time is impacted by the stimulation of our brains.
Have you ever browsed on social media with no real purpose, played a video game, or binge watched a Netflix or HBO series? (I swear, GoT is only 15 minutes long) Time can cruise by pretty darn fast. I love my devices, I love how they connect me to others, and provide endless hours of entertainment….but it’s ridiculous how much time they can rob you if you’re not careful.
I believe technology is impacting the perception of time and I believe it is challenging my indulgence of it.
Share this post if you agree! I’d love to know other’s thoughts on this.
