Clocks

I didn’t really agree with Carr about his whole idea about clocks. I thought it was interesting however that the idea for stricter time control was brought on by monks.  I finally started to get the gist from watching some movies, which is sort of funny in itself because it’s another form of media. When I watched Modern Times, which is a Charlie Chaplin film, I finally started to understand the power of man and his machines. There are scenes in Modern Time where Chaplin is actually shown getting stuck in the gears of a machine. I started to realize that machines may somehow rule over man. I didn’t start to think about how important the use of clocks or the meaning of them could be until I saw them in some movies. For instance, in Pulp Fiction Bruce Willis’ character had to have his pocket watch on him at all times. This watch was passed down to him from his father. His father died in the army. His fellow soldier took on the task to give the family heirloom to Bruce Willis. From then on he always had to have his pocket watch. One scene in particular he almost died to go back and get it from his apartment where his girlfriend had left it. He put his life at risk for a watch. Majoring in psychology, I’m pretty sure a licensed clinician would say he didn’t need the pocket watch to remind him of his love for him.  Even in Cinderella she had to get back to her home before the magic wore off at midnight. The scene is shown by the striking of midnight on the dot by a big grandfather clock. The figurative example that time can make or break our dreams. What ever happened to good things come to those who wait? Another thing that struck me was how businesses or venues strategically don’t put clocks for not wanting to display the time. Like in casinos there are no windows or clocks. This is in favor of the casino for the odds that the gambler will keep playing and betting and the casino will make some profit off of this. In Church, there are no clocks. Church is meant for the worshiper to be at peace with their Lord, not to be in a frantic rush. However, in class I do feel like I always need to look at the time. Even being with friends I feel like I need to know what time it is and how many hours in the day are left. Maybe it is the medium getting through to me or maybe it’s just I’m too antsy and need a routine. I can even take it a step further by saying there are not many clocks in doctor’s waiting rooms. If there is they are often never on time. I don’t know hy this annoys me but it does. It’s also ironic that the doctor tells the patient to be early while they are hardly ever on time like time has no meaning to certain people. We all run on clocks. However everyone runs on different time.

By kelsey Coughlin