This is about the concept of time, referring to RadioLab, Beyond Time and David Blane’s Ted Talk. I couldn’t get through Beyond Time. I couldn’t follow it. I think it has something to do with the lack of visual stimulus. I can’t just listen to not music, unless its an incredibly engaging audio book on a long drive with no one to talk to.  This post will focus on David Blane’s Ted Talk “How I Held my Breath for 17 Minutes.”

I can’t even sit still for a period time with nothing to engage in, so it’s nearly impossible for me to imagine developing a passion that is derived from being as still as humanly possible for a period of time.  His passion is clear by the end of the talk, when his emotions take over.  And how could you succeed in Blane’s attempts to push his body without the deepest passion for it?  Blane is a magician that strives to push what scientists consider impossible.  The idea of stepping into a tank full of water with handcuffs on and “failing” after only about five minutes of no air and nearly drowning would be enough to make me never go underwater again.  Yet Blane trained until he succeeded in breaking a world record.  I have thorough respect for the way Blane chooses to spend his time.

Time is not something we can control.  The closest we can get to controlling it is controlling how we perceive it– patience is key.