Echoes from the Future: Rethinking Time, Talent, and Intuition
Psychologist Daryl Bem conducted a study suggesting that time and memory may not be as linear as we assume. In the study, participants took a test without prior preparation. Afterward, some were asked to review and study the material. While we’d expect studying after the test to have no effect, the results showed that this post-test studying actually "reached back in time," improving participants' scores. Those who studied afterward scored significantly higher.
Assuming this science holds up and can be replicated, it carries interesting implications that could shift our perception of time and memory. It pushes us to think beyond the linear paradigm, encouraging us to see time as more fluid than fixed. Imagine we’re swimming in a pool of time and experience—moving forward, yet still feeling the ripples and waves from impactful moments, both past and future. We already understand that the past can impact our present; this new paradigm simply suggests that our future can also influence our current experience. This concept of time also has parallels in quantum physics. The theory of non-locality suggests that events aren't confined to a linear flow of time, but instead may be connected across dimensions, creating ripples that transcend our perception of past, present, and future.
If we apply this to our creative lives, paying attention to where we shine in the present might offer a glimpse into our future. If I try something new and it comes easily to me and excites me, it might be an echo from the future, signaling, "Yes, I recognize this, and I like it." This could explain the child who seems to have an edge when the teacher introduces painting for the first time. That child might go on to paint for years, and the effect of those future hours of practice might present themselves as a natural aptitude in the present. This flips our understanding of talent. We often think that someone talented in a particular field sticks with it because it comes easily to them, but it could be that it comes easily to them because they stick with it.
This theory can also apply to relationships. When we meet someone and feel as if we’ve known them for years, we can suspect that this person sticks around long-term. That instant familiarity may be built from a longstanding friendship in your future which can shine through in the present. That sense of comfortability shouldn't be ignored; it would be worth nurturing that connection and cultivating a relationship there.
Embracing some of these mind bending scientific concepts gives us solid ground to take our intuition seriously. Our gut feelings could be a way for us to glean signals from our future and can help guide us in our present. Being mindful and listening to our internal signals is key to discovering your most enlivened path forward. Noticing when something clicks effortlessly can help us uncover new sources of joy. Fully engaging with the people we connect with easily can nurture new friendships and mentorships. Trusting our present intuition can shift our behavior and open us to exciting new possibilities that align with our values and passions.
Here are some questions you can consider while pondering this new concept:
Have there been times in my life when a hobby/skill/artform/subject was coming easily to me? Are those things that I later devoted a lot of time to?
How did it feel the first time I met my best friend/lover/mentor?
When was a time I trusted my intuition? When was a time I went against my intuition? How did those situations turn out?
