Answered by Vox Season 1 Episode 46 Why Time Feels So Weird Right Now

Answered by Vox is a popular podcast that explores various questions that people often have in their minds but have not been answered satisfactorily. Season 1 episode 46, titled "Why Time Feels So Weird Right Now," is an episode that focuses on the peculiar feeling that many people have experienced lately- that time seems to be moving at an unusual pace.

In this episode, the host, Sean Illing, is joined by Claudia Hammond, an award-winning BBC broadcaster, and author of the book, "Time Warped." The two experts explore the different factors that could be contributing to the feeling that time is either moving too fast or too slow. The episode begins by acknowledging that while time may be a constant, our perception of it is subjective and malleable, and it's affected by a host of different factors.

As the episode progresses, the host and guest explore some of the psychological and neuroscientific reasons why people may be experiencing time in unusual ways during our current pandemic circumstances. They speak about the different theories that suggest why time may feel slower or faster than usual and how our brains interpret time perception. They explain how anxiety, depression, and feelings of helplessness can disrupt our sense of time, especially during the current global crisis.

The guest speaker, Claudia Hammond, noted that one important factor in our perception of time is the sense of novelty. When we experience new things, people, or places, our brains are working hard to build new neural pathways, and this causes time to feel like it's moving slower. In contrast, when we experience routine or familiar events, such as being confined to our homes because of the pandemic, our brains are working much less, leading to time feeling like it's moving faster.

Additionally, the episode discusses how our brains have evolved to perceive and manage time in different ways. The host and guest explain how our brains have adapted to life-threatening or novel situations by triggering our "fight or flight" response, which can cause us to misjudge time. The feeling of time seeming to be slipping away from our grasp can be a coping mechanism to protect us from potential dangers, according to the experts.

Another factor that plays into time perception is attention. When we are distracted or busy, time can seem to move quickly, and when we are bored or not engaged, time can feel like it's moving slowly. As people are forced to spend more time in isolation due to the coronavirus pandemic, daily routines are disrupted, and people may find themselves feeling bored or unengaged, leading to time seemingly slowing down.

Overall, the episode provides several different theories for why people might be experiencing time perception differently during this current pandemic. It reminds listeners that even though time may feel strange right now, it's not abnormal to feel this way, and many people are experiencing similar feelings. The guest speakers stress the importance of finding ways to break up your day and doing things that are new and novel to help improve your sense of time.

In conclusion, this episode of Answered by Vox offers valuable insights into the different factors that can affect our perception of time. Through its informative discussion and engaging hosts, it will surely satisfy listeners who are curious about the strange feeling of time during the current pandemic. With its comprehensive coverage, this episode is a must-listen for anyone trying to make sense of their own perception of time.