Does the Now really exist?

Being fascinated by the now and its perception ever since 27 87 was founded, we were now curious to examine the present-moment not only from an artistic and emotional point of view but also through its counterpart: the scientific and rational understanding of the concept of the now.

We sat down with Konstantin Batygin to talk about the notion of time. Discussing why sometimes time can fly, if it can repeat itself and if the now is even existing.

27 87 Perfumes

Prof. Konstantin Batygin

Let’s start casual: Does the now really exist?

From the vantage of relativity, the notion of a universal “now” dissolves and simultaneity becomes relative, dependent on one’s state of motion. By that, I mean: what may be “now” for one observer might not be for another moving at a different speed or in a different gravitational field. That said, “now” is not an absolute concept. It is much more intertwined with the fabric of spacetime and varies depending on one’s position and motion within it.

If we are thinking about the notion of now and it’s relation to time. How do you define time?

Time is the flow moments. It is a dimension in which events occur in a sequence, from the past, through the present, to the future. It’s both intangible yet deeply felt.

And, in your opinion: how important is time?

It is basically key for our existence, because time is the canvas upon which the universe paints its existence. Without it, there would be no change, no growth, no decay—in fact, it would be just an eternal stillness. The “now” is our tether to reality, a fleeting intersection of past and future. It is basically where memory meets anticipation.

Can we measure time?

Well, time is not an absolute entity. It’s relative. It can dilate or contract depending on the velocity of an observer or the gravitational field they are in. But, we can measure intervals of time with clocks, sure. These measurements are always dependent on the reference frame of the observer. Imagine this: a clock moving at a significant fraction of the speed of light or placed near a massive object will tick more slowly than one in a stationary or less gravitationally influenced position. Hence, while we can quantify intervals, the absolute nature of time remains elusive and relative.

Do you wear a watch?

Yes.

And what is your favorite time of the day?

Definitely the late morning. A time when the world has fully awakened, the sun bathes everything in a gentle, warm light, and there’s a sense of promise and potential in the air.

Let’s get a bit more into the notion of time. Why sometimes times flies and sometimes it feels eternally?

Our perception of time is colored by our emotions and experiences. In joy, time may seem to flit by, while in anticipation or pain, it may crawl.

Why is the present moment, considered such a crucial element in our understanding of time?

Because it is the “now” where life unfolds. It’s the stage where choices are made, emotions are felt, and existence is experienced. Only by being in the present, are we ever truly alive.

Basically almost everything we do in our everyday life is structured based on the idea of time. So, what’s the significance of the chronological order and how do rules and consistency play a role in our perception of time?

Chronological order gives structure to our narrative of existence. It allows for causality and comprehension. Consistency, like the rising and setting of the sun, anchors us. It offers a predictability in an ever-changing world.

Can time repeat itself?

No, not really. We have to understand it this way: while events may seem cyclical, each moment is unique in its context and circumstance. History might rhyme, but each stanza carries its own weight.

While thinking about the concept of time, you arrive quickly to an even larger idea to think about: dimension. So, can you explain the idea of time as the fourth dimension, both here on earth and in the context of the broader universe?

Time is intrinsically linked with space, forming the spacetime fabric of our universe. Just as we move through three-dimensional space, we journey along the fourth dimension of time, experiencing its progression and effects. This journey is unique in its directionality. We all know: in space we can move forward, backward, left, right, up, and down. But in time, we are bound to a forward trajectory. Despite our deepest desires, we remain confined to the present, forever advancing into the future, unable to revisit the past. This unidirectional flow of time underscores the impermanence and preciousness of each moment, reminding us that in the vast cosmos, every “now” is a fleeting instance in the grand tapestry of the universe.

And what factors or phenomena cause time to progress forward?

So, at the heart of time’s forward progression is the concept of entropy. A measure of disorder in the universe. The Second Law of Thermodynamics states that in a closed system, entropy tends to increase over time, leading to a greater state of disorder or randomness. This inexorable rise of entropy is deeply entwined with what we perceive as the arrow of time. When we talk about the past, we refer to a state of the universe with comparatively lower entropy, and as we move forward, entropy increases, guiding our perception of the progression from past to present to future. In essence, the increasing disorder in the universe acts as a temporal compass, pointing us in the direction of the future.

So: did the perception of time change over time?

Indeed, as societies evolve and technologies advance, our perception of time has shifted. Once bound by nature’s cycles, we now live in a world of instantaneity.

And, are there any specific experiments in physics that explore the relationship between scents and the perception of time or the “now”?

While physics itself doesn’t extensively probe the link between scents and time perception, the intersection of neuroscience and psychology provides insights. Scents, through molecular interactions, trigger neural signals processed by the brain. So, the direct connection between the olfactory system and memory-centric brain regions allows scents to powerfully evoke past moments. This olfactory-memory linkage can sometimes blur our perception of time, making distant memories feel as if they occurred very much in the recent “now”.

And finally. What’s your answer to the question. How long is now?

“Now” is a fleeting moment: always present, yet constantly slipping into the past. It’s as long as the blink of an eye, but at select times, can feel like eternity.