Understanding Time and Technology

The speaker shares a personal experience during Hurricane Sandy, highlighting the dependency on technology even in crises. They explore the concept of self as a narrative, emphasizing the importance of time in shaping identity. The impact of technology on time perception is discussed, noting the challenges of living in a 'digital now' that distracts from the present. Personal stories illustrate the value of being present, and the speaker calls for a conscious effort to restore the natural flow of time.

During Hurricane Sandy, what did the speaker find equally important as food and shelter?

• A reliable vehicle

• Connectivity and devices

• A warm blanket

• A flashlight

What did the speaker have to do for a shower during Hurricane Sandy?

• Wait for the power to return

• Use bottled water

• Walk 40 blocks to a gym

• Borrow a neighbor's bathroom

How does the speaker compare the self to fiction?

• Both are based on facts

• Both are interpretations and stories

• Both are unpredictable

• Both are static

What does the speaker say about the narrative arc of our lives?

• It is unnecessary

• It is based solely on facts

• It is always linear

• It requires months and years

What has technology done to our perception of time according to the speaker?

• Made it less important

• Altered the flow and shrunk the moment

• Increased our lifespan

• Made it more predictable

According to the speaker, what is the smallest measure of time that has shrunk?

• The moment

• The day

• The year

• The hour

What is the 'digital now' as described by the speaker?

• A moment that is always in the past

• A moment that is always in the future

• A moment that is always a few seconds ahead

• A moment that is always in the present

What does the speaker say about the Internet's effect on space and time?

• It has no effect

• It has shrunk both

• It has only affected space

• It has expanded both

What does the speaker suggest is threatened by the digital world?

• Our financial stability

• The completeness of ourselves and the flow of love

• Our physical health

• Our social connections

What lesson did the speaker learn from their grandmother?

• Time can be controlled

• Attention is time

• Technology is essential

• Love is separate from attention