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time, in my experience, has been as variable and…

“time, in my experience, has been as variable and inconstant as Bombay’s electric power supply. Just telephone the speaking clock if you don’t believe me – tied to electricity, it’s usually a few hours wrong. Unless we’re the ones who are wrong . . . no people whose word for ‘yesterday’ is the same…” quote by Salman Rushdie
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““time, in my experience, has been as variable and inconstant as Bombay’s electric power supply. Just telephone the speaking clock if you don’t believe me – tied to electricity, it’s usually a few hours wrong. Unless we’re the ones who are wrong . . . no people whose word for ‘yesterday’ is the same as their word for ‘tomorrow’ can be said to have a firm grip on the time.)””

Salman Rushdie

About This Quote

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

Time feels unpredictable, like an unreliable power grid, and people who claim certainty about yesterday and tomorrow lack true temporal awareness.

In simple terms: Time is unstable; claiming certainty about it is naive.

Key Takeaway

Embrace uncertainty in how.

Themes

uncertainty time perception relativism trust

Mood

thoughtful skeptical

Type

essay conversational

When to use this quote

  • project planning
  • personal scheduling
  • historical analysis

Key Concepts

philosophy of time cognitive bias communication

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you cope with unpredictable schedules?
  • What does “time” mean to you personally?
A Different Perspective

Time’s variability can cause practical problems, not just philosophical ones.

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