Temporal Proximity Schedule

Relative temporal proximity is a more important factor than contiguity in an absolute sense.

The critical factor to understanding and effectively interacting with others in many situations is not temporal contiguity within an unfolding event, but rather its relative temporal proximity to others. This is not at a supericial level, but rather also the interplay between different levels of temporal proximities, which is to say that there are various levels of temporal 'distances' running parallel. Like a sort of conical circumference these help frame our point of reference. Pictured visually these might be depicted as concentric circles emanating out from one's temporal point of reference or origin. This relatively simple model is complicated by the dynamic nature of what can ultimately only be experienced. Indeed, David Tinapple asserts it is only through a changing point of reference that perception occurs as such. In the same way we only attain depth of visual perception through the assimilation of biocular vision, so too our temporal perception represents a continual search for reference to temporal events in the environment. We define objects getting a sense of their proportions (viewing them from different sides), and we find it easiest to recognise objects movements against their surroundings. Infact, we primarily recognise the style of mvement of others rather than their shape. We map out the schedule for our lives congenerously against the backdrop of the temporal landscape.

Attempts at sensory deprivation show that it is nigh impossible to prevent subjects from retriving temporal indicators from their envirnonment - usually by the primative and matural of sense of sound. The sounds help the person plot their temporal course in their landscape and ultimately seems to keep them sane. I would assert, that the most basic need of animals beyond air, water and sustainance is in fact the ability to calibrate largely unconscious internal rhthyms with externally derived sensory inputs. It may sound obvious to pronounce this, but it is only under such extreme circumstance of sensory deprivation that the importance of such rhythms becopmes apparent. In everyday life these are naturally calibrated.

Calendars such as the one shown above seek to attune the long-term cycles of large groups of people to the needs and demands of the culture as a whole and coordinate tasks, establishing them as rituals. They are by nature cyclical and serve to peg our understanding of the world to a codified constant. Representing one of the most important artifacts of any culture, the calendar is the key to understanding a society.

What does our calendar say about us?