How we experience time

Time perception functions as a subjective, malleable experience shaped by biology, environment, and cognitive focus. Artist Katie Paterson bridges human and cosmic scales by using sound to represent deep time, such as melting glaciers and lunar-transmitted music. Cognitive neuroscientist Irena Arslanova explains that interoception—specifically the rhythmic dance between the heart and brain—alters how individuals perceive duration, with heart rate acceleration often compressing perceived time. Conductor Robert Franz demonstrates that active listening, through tools like rhythm and melody, allows audiences to transcend standard timekeeping and engage deeply with music. Finally, psychologist Philip Zimbardo argues that personal well-being depends on balancing past, present, and future time perspectives, as over-reliance on any single orientation limits decision-making flexibility. Together, these insights reveal that time is not merely a constant, but a dynamic construct influenced by internal bodily signals and external engagement.