Back to The Watch.

The Experiment

As part of my investigation of my watch, I want to experience what it would be like not to know the time. For my experiement, I am not going to wear a watch all day. I am also going to tape over my cell phone and computer clocks, and hide my alarm clock. I don't think I will be able to completely cut my self off from time, like if someone mentions the time in front of me or I hear a church bell, but I am going to do my best. That also means no watching television shows if I know what time they air.

I hope to learn what it would be like if I had to try to live a normal day without being connected to my watch and the notion of universal time. I will still go to class and try to keep my other appointments. Yes I know that class might start at a certain time, but without knowing the whole time that day I will probably have to just show up early and wait it out. I can use the sun or whatever other reckoning device I can come up with, but once I wake up, I'm on my own. Here's hoping the day I pick isn't cloudy.

I originally wanted to try this experiment on Thursday March 2, but I got scared and called it off when my Dad wanted me to pick him up at the airport at a certain time and drive him somewhere. I was not willing to run my experiment if being late somewhere might mean long term financial consequences. I'm going to try again on Tuesday, March 7.

Check out my Log of Brenden's life on Tuesday, March 7, 2006.

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The Conclusions

I have no idea what time it is. I don't track it myself. I am so used to being able to look at a watch that I don't have any accurate intrinsic understanding of how long things take. This would actually be a handy skill to have. I realized that I have been listening to a clock instead of my body about when to eat, when I'm tired, and other "natural" rhythms. I think if I did listen to my body, I may be a happier, more alert person.

On the other hand, the main advantage of the clock is that it allows me to plan ahead. If I know I have to get up early in the morning, I may want to go to bed early the night before. If my body doesn't know about what time it is, and I wait until I'm tired, I won't be able to go to bed early. If I know I want to eat something before an evening engagement, I need a clock to tell me both when to eat and when that engagement actually is. Being a part of society imposes obligations on me to be somewhere or do something at a certain time, and those obligations conflict with what my body tells me about when I should eat or sleep. The watch helps me connect to human society, whereas otherwise I would be ruled by my instincts.