부산대학교 도서관

The article discusses the concept of time and its significance in our lives. It highlights the various ways in which time can be measured, from ancient water clocks to modern atomic clocks. The article also touches on the history of attempts to establish precise chronologies, such as Archbishop Ussher's belief that the world began in 4004 BC. It then delves into the scientific understanding of time, including the age of the universe and the Earth, as well as the potential future of humanity and the planet. The author emphasizes the importance of our current century, as it is the first in Earth's history where one species, humans, can determine the fate of the entire planet. Despite our awareness of the vast timescale of the cosmos, our planning horizons have become shorter due to the rapid pace of change in our lives. The article concludes by speculating on the future of humanity, including the possibility of genetic modification and the potential for extended lifespans. [Extracted from the article]