Human lifetimes are usually limited to a century.
My grandpa was born, lived and died within the same century. My father’s life spanned two. My daughter might be lucky enough to see three, if she’s a centenarian.
But, by and large, our minds have trouble fathoming time spans longer than one hundred years.
Until just a few decades ago, most of humanity lived and died within a small area.
After our hunter-gatherer ancestors learned to grow food and settled down, only the rare exception travelled further than 25 km. from his or her birthplace.
My great-grandfather was born in a small village. His wife was from a nearby village. They didn’t travel outside it at all.
We were on the superfast RailJet from Salzburg, Austria to Zurich, Switzerland.
A few minutes back, the train had stopped at Innsbruck, a skiing resort where James Bond movie “For Your Eyes Only” was shot.
If I had a penny for every time I’ve said to myself while reading this book, “If only I knew this when I was twenty!”
…then I’d have enough money to buy you – and everyone who reads this book review – a copy of “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck!“
All you read about these days is news of escalating strife, looming recession, and violation of human rights.
Our world has grown serious.
We’ve forgotten how to have fun!
