Time Pieces

Time is humanity's constant companion. This book examines the many and varied ways in which we perceive time, subjectively and objectively, East and West. Reflecting the myriad character of time, it draws on anthropology, history, psychology and environmentalism.

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Time is humanity's constant companion. How we think about time itself - and the myriad ways in which cultures across the globe conceptualize and order their lives in terms of time - is a fascinating and complex process. This book examines the many and varied ways in which we perceive time, subjectively and objectively, East and West. It reflects the myriad character of time, drawing on anthropology, history, psychology and environmentalism, to examine the extent to which Western concepts of time enslave or liberate. In a series of essays, it explores and challenges one of the most fascinating conventions governing our lives; comparing and contrasting a phenomenon that affects us all. From ancestor worship to the modern obsession with speed, it discusses how we use language to talk about time, and examines our perceptions of past and future to explore the meaning of change and the effect of progress.