Chronos and Kairos

As a father of 3 daughters under 9 years old, I am aware that we will have time together less than average of parents. That's why I use every opportunity to maximise the quality of the time and leaving them with inspiring memories and locations. The most recent one when we spend school break and enjoyed unusual warm weather in western Lycian Coast which host many historical and natural landmarks like 2500+ years old ancient cities, waterfalls, sea turtles those I wanted my children to experience "kairos" before those landmarks fade away.

Kairos and chronos are two distinct concepts of time that originate from ancient Greek philosophy and have been widely discussed in various fields, including rhetoric, literature, and philosophy.

1. ? Chronos: Chronos refers to chronological or sequential time. It is measurable, quantitative, and linear, representing time as a series of moments that can be tracked (e.g., hours, days, years). This concept encapsulates the objective, ticking clock experience of time — the kind that governs schedules, deadlines, and historical timelines. It suggests a universal standard of time that everyone acknowledges and adheres to.
2. ?? Kairos: Kairos signifies a more qualitative aspect of time, encompassing the idea of "the right moment" or "opportune time." It emphasizes the significance of timing and contextual appropriateness. Kairos implies a sense of seizing the moment, understanding the conditions of a situation, and taking action at the most effective time. It is subjective and varies based on circumstances, experiences, and purposes.

While chronos focuses on the quantity and measurement of time, kairos emphasises quality and meaning. Chronos can be thought of as time on a clock, while kairos is more about timing and discretion. My favorite example to distinguish those two different understanding of time is measuring the tenure of experience of an individual as chronos as a sign of loyalty to company although same person did not change anything to improve in >25 years. That's why it is my favorite interview questions to the candidates and see the frustration on their faces when and if they realised that they did not change as an improvement but rather a maintenance.

Different cultures may prioritize one over the other. For instance, in Western societies, a chronos-oriented mindset is often prevalent with a focus on efficiency and productivity. Conversely, many Eastern cultures may emphasize kairos, valuing moments of insight and situational awareness.

In conclusion, both concepts represent essential aspects of how humans perceive and interact with time. Understanding the balance between chronos and kairos can enhance our effectiveness in various domains of life, from personal goals to professional achievements.

Time is the only currency you spend without ever knowing your balance. Use it wisely and covert chronos to live your kairos!

Book Bits

Reading List of November 2024

?? The Language of Climate Politics: Fossil-Fuel Propaganda and How to Fight It [2024] by Genevieve Guenther, PhD and she conducts a groundbreaking investigation into the propaganda justifying the fossil-fuel economy. The book dismantles fossil-fuel propaganda and offers new strategies for climate communication. Guenther challenges the repeated talking points language of climate deniers, delayers, and doomers, highlighting how climate scientists, advocates, and journalists have unwittingly absorbed propagandistic definitions and narratives that subtly shape the news narrative. A key point is that the climate debate is not, in fact, neatly polarized. The book aims to reframe the terms that dominate our current climate debates, providing readers with powerful new ways to talk about climate change.

?? Charging Forward: Lithium Valley, Electric Vehicles, and a Just Future [2024] by Chris Benner is a work of stunning analysis and reporting that shows the questions raised by Lithium Valley lie at the heart of the "green transition". The book exposes the damages of mineral extraction worldwide and finally lands us in a California desert with enough lithium to power the clean energy transition. It's a clarion call for justice in the quest for clean energy, highlighting that California's Salton Sea region is home to some of the worst environmental health disasters. Benner takes us on a highly readable romp through the complexities of a just transition to electric vehicles, offering a microcosm of the larger challenges.

?? Rare: The High-Stakes Race to Satisfy Our Need for the Scarcest Metals on Earth [2015] by Keith Veronese . The book takes an in-depth look at the little-known, illusive metals that power everything from smartphones to PS4s to nuclear weapons and the extent nations and corporations go to control them. The book is very wide-ranging, covering technical and socio-political topics, such as sea-floor and astro-mining, synthetic radioactive metals, counterfeiting, rare earth elements, and the geopolitical implications of the global rare metal trade. Veronese details the history, uses and politics behind some of the world's most rare and important metals. A key point is that a burgeoning black market in China, Africa, and India is propped up by school-age children retrieving and purifying these metals while risking their health. The book sheds light on the common but elusive chemical elements beneath the earth's surface – elements that play an increasingly important role in the modern world

?? Islamophobia in China and Attitudes of Muslim Countries: A general report on Islamophobia in Chinese society, state system and position of the Muslim countries towards it [2024] presents Islamophobia in China and the attitudes of Muslim countries towards it with presented research and factual evidence. The report highlights an upsurge in Islamophobic sentiment among China's ethnic majority Han since 2014. It explores how Islamophobic actors perceive and contest ethnic relationships in China. A key finding is that Islamophobic views have been amplified while Muslim voices have been marginalized due to the media's concentration on sensationalism. The report examines the Chinese regime's Islamophobic policies with a particular focus on China's treatment of its Muslim minority populations.

?? Lithium: The Global Race for Battery Dominance and the New Energy Revolution [2021] by Lukasz B. "Lithium" reveals the struggle of superpowers to secure strategic lithium supplies and the astonishing efforts of lone-wolf inventors and entrepreneurs in the global race for battery dominance. The book provides an informative look at the dominant role of China and the large lithium reserves in South America. A key theme is that a global energy revolution is unfolding, with ever-growing numbers of electric vehicles on our roads and laptops that last all day on a single charge, all powered by lithium-ion batteries. The book explores how lithium has become a crucial component in the shift towards renewable energy and electrification of transportation.