--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Perhaps there are many \"nows\" of varying…" description: "\"“Perhaps there are many \"nows\" of varying duration, depending on just what it is we are doing. We must face up to the fact that, at least in the case o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/933/paul-davies-3810_different-level_perhaps-there-are-many-nows-of-varying-d_2118117.jpg" --- # Perhaps there are many "nows" of varying duration… ![“Perhaps there are many "nows" of varying duration, depending on just what it is we are doing. We must face up to the fact that, at least in the case of humans, the subject experiencing subjective time is not a perfect, structureless observer, but a complex, multilayered, multifaceted psyche…” quote by Paul Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/933/paul-davies-3810_different-level_perhaps-there-are-many-nows-of-varying-d_2118117.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/933/paul-davies-3810_different-level_perhaps-there-are-many-nows-of-varying-d_2118117.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/933/paul-davies-3810_different-level_perhaps-there-are-many-nows-of-varying-d_2118117.jpg) > ““Perhaps there are many "nows" of varying duration, depending on just what it is we are doing. We must face up to the fact that, at least in the case of humans, the subject experiencing subjective time is not a perfect, structureless observer, but a complex, multilayered, multifaceted psyche. Different levels of our consciousness may experience time in quite different ways. This is evidently the case in terms of response time. You have probably had the slightly unnerving experience of jumping at the sound of a telephone a moment or two before you actually hear it ring. The shrill noise induces a reflex response through the nervous system much faster than the time it takes to create the conscious experience of the sound. It is fashionable to attribute certain qualities, such as speech ability, to the left side of the brain, whereas others, such as musical appreciation, belong to processes occurring on the right side. But why should both hemispheres experience a common time? And why should the subconscious use the same mental clock as the conscious?”” [Paul Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-davies/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Our perception of time varies across different mental states and brain processes, showing that conscious and subconscious timing are not identical. **In simple terms:** Time feels different depending on what we’re doing and which brain part is active. Key Takeaway Recognize that reactions can be faster than conscious awareness. Themes cognition neuroscience subjectivity time perception Mood curious thoughtful Type explanatory philosophical When to use this quote - driving - listening to music - making decisions - reacting to alarms Key Concepts psychology neuroscience consciousness reflex arcs Questions to Reflect On - How do you notice differences in your perception of time? - Can you train yourself to become more aware of subconscious timing? A Different Perspective Conscious awareness often lags behind automatic neural responses. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Nervous system](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nervous-system/) [Physics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/physics/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Time passing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-passing/) ## Related quotes > [“Psychologists have devised some ingenious ways to help unpack the human "now." 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