When was the last time you have said to somebody “just a second” whereas what you have meant was more likely two to five minutes? And when was the last time you looked at your watch and only wished you had more time? In today’s digital age, time measurement is very accurate and nearly everyone can afford to own a watch and keep track of “real” time, still every one of us values time differently.

Defining time proved to be a very challenging task since early mankind. It still is nowadays: if you make a search on Google for the word “time”, you will get 2 710 000 000 results in less than 17 seconds. The way we perceive and use time is highly influenced by our cultural inheritance. In some parts of the world there are no words for “minute” or “hour” whereas in others the definition of a “moment” grows shorter and shorter. If you are part of a culture where efficient and productive use of time is the name of the game, you can by now probably balance three spinning plates on three thin sticks and you are looking forward to being rewarded with a fourth plate. If your culture relates to time as a circular phenomenon, you are probably never under pressure and do not experience future anxiety.

Every one of us is born into and raised in a particular “time world”, an environment with its own rhythm to which we have to constantly adapt. Wherever you live, we encourage you to take your time and make the best out of each moment. Next time you take a look at your watch, we hope you will see time as Marvin perceives it: daring, passionate and with a touch of humor.