People often use the phrase: “Time is more valuable than money” to describe the preciousness of time and remind themselves never to waste their lives.
There are numerous ways to measure time around us: from the sun, the moon, the crowing of roosters, to clocks, radios on phones…
But does time really exist?
The famous scientist Einstein stated in his theory of relativity decades ago that: “There is no single and absolute time. The time that humans conceive is merely an illusion.”
To verify this viewpoint, NASA conducted a human perception experiment regarding time.
Specifically, they placed a physically healthy and mentally stable female volunteer to live in a cave 150 meters underground.
According to the original plan, the experiment was supposed to last for 210 days, but just 130 days in, it had to be suspended. Let’s delve into the details of this experiment!
A well-equipped room underground.
The “Illusion” of Time
In January 1989, to demonstrate Einstein’s theory of time illusion, NASA designed an experiment called “The Time Argument.”
They excavated a cave covering dozens of square meters at a depth of 150 meters underground. They adjusted the temperature, humidity, air, and living conditions inside to be identical to those above ground. At the same time, they decorated it warmly and luxuriously, providing ample supplies, food, water, beds, furniture, and other household items.
Folligny, the girl participating in the experiment.
Folligny, a 27-year-old designer from Italy, was selected for the experiment.
The unique aspect of the cave was the absence of natural scenery like outside, no changes, and no markers of time. The time on TV and computers was completely erased.
From the moment she entered the cave, the participant would live in a dark basement, with no work required, except for eating and sleeping; she could freely entertain and relax as she wished.
This lifestyle was very appealing to many people! Hence, countless volunteers signed up, attracted by the enticing rewards offered by NASA.
The 1 in 10,000 Volunteer
Folligny, always busy and exhausted from her current job, registered for the experiment because she wouldn’t have to worry about meals while there!
She was in good physical health and was comprehensively assessed for both mental qualities and stress resistance.
Folligny was thrilled to learn that she had surpassed 10,000 applicants to participate in this project.
When a reporter asked her how long she thought she could stay in the cave, she confidently replied: “If you provide me with enough food, drink, clothing, and entertainment, I could stay there for a lifetime.”
From the monitoring screen, one could see Folligny’s cheerful smile as she admired the luxurious decor in the underground room.
130 days Folligny spent here.
A Life Without the Concept of Time
The laboratory room, though not large at only 18 square meters, was sufficient for Folligny to live comfortably.
NASA also announced that if she wanted to stop midway, she could ring the doorbell to return to the surface earlier than planned.
Initially, Folligny appeared quite comfortable; she ate, played games, watched movies, and slept whenever she felt tired.
However, within less than two weeks, Folligny began to feel bored. She decided to enrich herself by using her free time to learn new knowledge.
However, because there were no time display tools in the room, her previous life rules were almost completely disrupted.
Folligny lost track of when to rest, when to eat, when to read, and when to sleep. She could only follow her instincts and what her body felt, with her brain in control.
Failed Experiment
After some time, scientists observed that Folligny was only sleeping for an hour, then waking up to eat and read. Sometimes she would sleep for two days straight…
Her health deteriorated, and she often mumbled to herself unconsciously, losing interest in her favorite foods and movies.
For her health and safety, the scientists decided to halt the experiment before things worsened.
When she was brought back to the surface, having been alone for quite a while, she struggled to adapt to the sunlight, her whole body stiff. Doctors reported that her physical and mental health were both in poor condition.
Folligny today.
When Folligny recovered, scientists asked her how long she felt she had been there; Folligny believed she had been there for 60 days.
However, in reality, she had been there for 130 days.
This serves as evidence that in a “timeless state,” it is very difficult for humans to master themselves. Of course, the experiment was not a success!
In reality, while we can rely on clocks to organize our schedules, these are units created by humans to adjust their own behaviors to follow a certain trajectory.
