Skip to content

What do we measure when we measure time? The gloomy answer…

“What do we measure when we measure time? The gloomy answer from Hawking, one of our most implacably cheerful scientists, is that we measure entropy. We measure changes and those changes are all for the worse. We measure increasing disorder. Life is hard, says science, and constancy is the greatest…” quote by David Quammen
Download Open image
“What do we measure when we measure time? The gloomy answer from Hawking, one of our most implacably cheerful scientists, is that we measure entropy. We measure changes and those changes are all for the worse. We measure increasing disorder. Life is hard, says science, and constancy is the greatest of miracles.”

David Quammen

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Time measurement reflects entropy increase, highlighting inevitable disorder and the rarity of constancy.

In simple terms: Time shows growing disorder.

Key Takeaway

Accept change, cherish stability.

Themes

entropy time disorder

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

philosophical scientific

When to use this quote

  • scientific research
  • personal resilience
  • environmental policy
  • technology development
  • education

Key Concepts

thermodynamics philosophy of science impermanence

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does entropy influence your daily decisions?
  • Can stability be cultivated intentionally?
A Different Perspective

Entropy concept can be abstract for everyday use.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by David Quammen

Explore all 73 David Quammen quotes

More Answers quotes

Browse all 7,843 Answers quotes