You wake up having been gifted the ability to take time off of your life as a whole in exchange having more time in-the-moment--whether it’s time to think, time to spend doing something or with people, time to hold onto something or someone, whatever. Others will be unaffected, this is personal.
The conversion ratio is ~6 hours of in-the-moment time --> ~1 year of life (or 1:1,460), and it only works one-way.
- Do you use the ability at all?
- If yes, how do you use it--large chunks sparingly or small moments regularly?
- Do you ‘spend’ a significant amount or prioritize retaining lifespan?
- What would you use it for?
- If yes/no, what ratio would make it not worth it/worth it?
- Would it be better to track usage rigorously or to remain unaware?
- What psychological problems/trauma could usage cause you?
- How would you feel if you found out someone you loved had been trading their time?
- If no, what circumstances would convince you to?
Edit: I’m so glad to see diversity in the responses!
Thank you to all who are taking the time to give answers. I intend to respond more when i have time later. :)
I’d trade lifespan in order to be able to be in-the-moment just a bit longer during my son’s accomplishments, milestones, life events. It could be just another 5 minutes, or more. But also to be able to have more time in-the-moment for when he needs me to be his protector. Time to analyze and get my head around something that is unfolding realtime. The ability to find the right words, and a way to say something heavy in the right tone and with grace.
Typing this all out made me cry. So much is going wrong for me right now, but the thought of “work will be over soon, I’ll get to be with my boy soon” helps me get through these days. And now I might be losing my dad earlier than I thought. I am worried that I might get sick too. I’d take all of the time I can if it could get me more time for right now.
My heart goes out to you. The bleeding from your heart is the love that it’s full of. Cherish every moment with them.
As i’m sure you know, one way we can extend our moments IRL is to document them to be revisited later. Pictures, video, and importantly: journaling about how you felt during events.
How do you think your son would feel about that when you’re on your death bed, if he knew? Knowing that he could have had you around for another year or more, if only you hadn’t used this power? Do you think those fleeting moments would be worth more to him than those extra years?
How would you feel if he, in turn, decided to spend decades of his own life to extend those last few moments with you?
I’m not the one you’re asking, but if I were the son and got to know my dad did this to be with me more in the important bit’s of my life, I’d be moved and I’d feel loved.
If I were the dad and my son would consider doing this to extend his moments with the old me, I’d be moved too, but I’d tell him to save it for someone else - his future child or partner perhaps.
I guess I had assumed that this ability was unique to me in this scenario. If everyone had the ability, reality would become quite a mess.