The Order of Time by Carlo Rovelli

Written by Leigh Martinuzzi 

In this book, the author takes us on a journey into the exploration of time. Asking questions about time that physicists, scientists and philosophers alike continue to struggle to understand. Rovelli disrupts the assumptions and beliefs we have about time. Our lives revolve around the order of time however as revealed in this book, time is not as ordered as we may think it to be.

Do we exist in time or does time exist within us?

Born in Italy, Carlo Rovelli is involved in the philosophy of science and theoretical physics. He has written several books including Quantum Gravity, Anaximander and Seven Brief Lessons on Physics.

In all honesty, at times while reading this book I found myself in over my head. For example, I found myself lost within the theoretical arguments and implications that gravitational fields and thermal energy have on time. Yet, skilfully, Rovelli weaves me back into the flow of his work creating some level of understanding as he combines science with a philosophical perspective.

What does time have to do with The Hidden Why? I say everything! I thoroughly believe that time is one commodity that we do not place enough value upon. We often sacrifice time in the pursuit of materialistic needs and desires. We trade off time with just about everything we do in life and yet at what cost?

I may not be any clearer on what exactly time is however from what I can understand it is nothing more than one’s perspective on a sequence of events that takes place in one’s life. Stored in memory and then used time and time again for assessing how we use our time and also how we perceive time to pass.

Rovelli explains that time is not global. It passes more quickly at sea level then it does in the mountains. There is no such thing as one present moment. For the present I experience is experienced by no one else, anywhere.

Time is a ruler to measure a distance between one moment and the next that is carried out only at the very local level. The only person that should truly care about that time consumption is the beholder.

I am 37 and for an entire year, I thought I was a year older. Birthday’s seem less important as you age unless of course, you use age to try measure how much time you have left which is an impossible task. Or perhaps you value such days purely for the self-indulgent pleasures you get from the additional attention and gifts. Whatever the case, age is simply a tool to track and better store the moments you’ve had.

Perhaps I’m being a tad cynical. Time is important. However, if time is nothing more than a sequence of events stored in memory that shape the quality of our existence what matters more? The measuring of time or how we use each moment? I’d argue that it’s the latter.

People trade time. People can buy time off you. If they do, you are not giving up time, you are giving up your right to experience moments in your own fashion. The ultimate conundrum is that at the same time you receive something in return, most commonly it’s money, and this can give us broader opportunities to experience moments in the future at a grander scale – one would hope! This is the assessment and trade-off’s in life that we all must make.

I feel such an assessment becomes clearer as we age and experience more in life. This may be the reason why the elderly or the “wise” seem to care less about work and material possessions and more for relationships and joyful occasions with nature or learning.

Rovelli will open your perspective to the questions of what time is. Why it exists and its purpose. In doing so, it might just shape how you value time moving forward. Enjoy!

If this book sounds of interest you can purchase The Order of Time here.

Please leave your thoughts, comments & questions below.

Peace, passion and purpose…

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