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【我的香港回憶第二卷 001】 相對論：原來，我們已經不能掌控自己時間了
🕑 Added 2025-07-12 02:01:01 +0000 UTC早前預告過，這裏月中開始會有新安排，包括會啟動《我的香港回憶》第二卷，在家庭篇、補漏拾遺篇之後，開始追憶個人故事，並會由今天開始。今後希望可以每日集中精神寫好一個題目，所以如果當日出現這個系列，就會有一連幾篇。這系列屬於「堅離地城」Tier，不過開場白、或日後一些特別有感覺的題目，會放在更多會員能看到的區域，不贅。
開場白想說的很簡單：時間真的過得很快，無跡無痕。
先分享一件小事。
在我腦海中，一直記得一件事：The Beatles 的 Paul McCartney 「年底」 會在曼城開告別演唱會。對任何人而言，披頭四絕對是殿堂級當中的殿堂級，沒有想過還有機會親身朝聖：「終於，機會來了」。雖然我不算是 The Beatles 的歌迷，但我很喜歡音樂，說來也 paid tribute 了很多，例如到過利物浦的披頭四故事展館兩次，在香港馬會聽過一場 Beatlemania 致敬音樂會，在倫敦又聽過另一場，慕名參觀過 John Lennon 遺孀小野洋子的 Avantgarde 藝術展，看過關於 George Harrison 印度信仰的紀錄片、略為研究過有關哲學，等等。
日前打算購票的時候，赫然發現：原來這個演唱會已經在去年年底舉行。2024，不是2025。
這件小事，令我震驚了很久。
我曾經是記憶力非常好的人，小時候讀書接近過目不忘，可以背出電話簿上的親友同學電話，對時間的掌握也有一套。但現在，不只是記錯了，而且是根本不覺得過了一年。這是多麼可怕的感覺？也許是每天過得太千遍一律，以為只是過了幾日，原來俗世已經換了單位。昔日讀書的感覺剛好相反，「渡日如年」，每一天都有新衝擊，覺得很久很久「才」一年。
然而，如果要列出清單，這些年來，我依然可以說是活得「精采」的，做過的新事物不及從前多，但依然比大多數人多；認識的新朋友不及從前多，但對社恐患者而言，依然足以天天病發。不過心底裏，原來一切都是蜻蜓點水、落水無痕，很少再為這些產生深刻的喜怒哀樂。
情感上很不希望時光流逝，不希望面對父母的老去、孩子的長大。但越是逃避，要是要面對。原來和父親同年出生的 Paul McCartney，今年已經83歲了。
不知道這是否一種對時空掌握的相對論？
很多老人家對童年的事刻骨銘心，對近期的事情瞬間忘記。現在才明白，這原來不是記憶力的問題，而是相對論。為乎此，如果還不開始寫下自己的經歷，就為時已晚了。
Comments
cas idit
https://complexity.simplecast.com/episodes/102 this podcast episode talks about the complex conception of time. "For our first panel, we decided to inquire: What is time, really? How has science fiction changed the way we track and measure, speak about, and live in time? And how do physics and complex systems science pose and answer these most fundamental questions?"
George
The perception that time speeds up as we age mirrors time dilation in relativity. This offers a lens through which to understand why life feels accelerated. In youth, each day brims with fresh experiences, stretching time as though it feels endless. As we age, routine dulls novelty, and years blur past, much like time racing for an observer in a weaker gravitational field. Psychologically, familiarity breeds a gradual loss of interest in many things and compresses our sense of time, especially when doubts begin to creep into our minds about the gap between our abilities and our goals. Neurologically, some studies suggest that aging brains process new stimuli more slowly, amplifying this effect. This subjective experience resonates with relativity’s lesson that time is not absolute but a personal, context-dependent phenomenon. No one in history has ever controlled time. The best we can do is manage it effectively. The parallel between relativity and aging prompts reflection on life’s purpose. Just as time depends on one’s frame of reference, meaning hinges on personal perspective. Our interconnectedness further enriches this search. Like observers in different frames, each person’s experience of time and purpose is unique. Empathy bridges these differences, fostering shared understanding. As we age and time feels fleeting, we’re driven to live deliberately—through acts of kindness, learning, or legacy-building—infusing moments with value. Ultimately, life’s meaning lies in embracing its relativity. We craft purpose within our own frame, not by defying the flow of time but by shaping it through intentional choices within the constraint of our existence. As time quickens, we’re reminded to focus on what matters the most, creating a life of substance in a universe where time bends to context.
Jason
細個時，成長係以月為單位。大個後，要每年先有啲特別事情發生。唔經唔覺，而家已經每五年都好似轉眼就過咗
K S
I'm beginning to prepare my Funeral Thanksgiving message, and counting my blessings received.
STse
Indeed. The good news is that the root cause is that we have a thicker and broader base today. not a sign of early decline at all!
