Felt Time: Summary Review
This is a summary review of Felt Time containing key details about the book.
What is Felt Time About?
"Felt Time: The Psychology of How We Perceive Time" by Marc Wittmann is a comprehensive book that explores the psychology of how we perceive time and how our experiences shape our understanding of it. The author argues that our perception of time is subjective and that it can be influenced by many factors, such as emotions, attention, expectations, and memories.
In Felt Time, the author explains, among other things, how we choose between savoring the moment and deferring gratification; why impulsive people are bored easily, and why their boredom is often a matter of time; whether each person possesses a personal speed, a particular brain rhythm distinguishing quick people from slow people; and why the feeling of duration can serve as an "error signal," letting us know when it is taking too long for dinner to be ready or for the bus to come. He considers the practice of mindfulness, and whether it can reduce the speed of life and help us gain more time, and he describes how, as we grow older, subjective time accelerates as routine increases; a fulfilled and varied life is a long life.
Summary Points & Takeaways from Felt Time
Some key summary points and takeaways from the book include:
* The experience of time is not an objective truth, but rather a subjective phenomenon that varies from person to person.
* Our perception of time is heavily influenced by our emotions, attention, and memories. For example, time seems to slow down when we're in the midst of a stressful event, and it seems to speed up as we get older.
* The concept of "felt time" refers to our subjective experience of time, which can be different from the objective, measurable time.
* Our beliefs about time, such as the idea that it's a finite resource, can shape our behavior and influence how we use it.
* By understanding our perception of time and how it can be influenced, we can develop techniques for managing our time and improving our productivity.
* Overall, "Felt Time" is a valuable resource for anyone interested in psychology, philosophy, and the nature of time. The author provides a clear and accessible exploration of a complex and fascinating subject, and the book is filled with insights and practical tips for improving our relationship with time.
Who is the author of Felt Time?
Marc Wittmann, Ph.D., is a research fellow at the Institute for Frontier Areas in Psychology and Mental Health in Freiburg, Germany. He studied psychology and philosophy at the Universities of Fribourg, Switzerland, and Munich, Germany. He received his Ph.D. at the Institute of Medical Psychology, University of Munich. From 2000 to 2004 he was head of the Generation Research Program, Bad Tölz, University of Munich.
Book details
- Print length: 185 pages
- Genre: Psychology, Nonfiction, Science
What are the chapters in Felt Time?
Chapter 1. Temporal Shortsightedness: On Being Able to Wait
Chapter 2. Looking for the Rhythm of the Brain
Chapter 3. In the Moment: Three Seconds of Presence
Chapter 4. Internal Clocks: What We "Need" Time For
Chapter 5. Life, Happiness, and the Ultimate Time Limit
Chapter 6. Winning and Losing Time: The Self and Temporality
Chapter 7. Body Time: How the Sense of Time Arises
What do critics say?
What do critics say?
Here's what one of the prominent reviewers had to say about the book: "... [A] fascinating inquiry into how our subjective experience of time's passage shapes everything from our emotional memory to our sense of self." - Brain Pickings - Maria Popova
* The editor of this summary review made every effort to maintain information accuracy, including any published quotes, chapters, or takeaways. If you're interested in furthering your personal growth, you may want to explore my list of favorite self-improvement books. These books, which have had a significant impact on my life, are carefully curated and come with summaries and key lessons.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
