The Physics of The Physics of Processing TimeProcessing Time• The Science and the Art

IntroductionsIntroductionsWe will be discussing a modelAll models depend on other applicable

base knowledgeWe will touch on other base skills in order

to make sure we are all on the same page

First, what is processing timeFirst, what is processing timeThe time your brain must devote to the

“process of interpretation”Processing Time…NOT Lag Time I am VERY picky about this point!YES… I know Dennis Cokely says “Lag Tim

e.”Why?

Lag, as a VerbLag, as a VerbFail to maintain a desired pace or to keep up; fall or stay

behind: After five minutes of hard running, some of them began to lag.

Move or develop slowly, as toward a goal or objective, or in relation to an associated factor (often fol. by behind): to lag behind in production.

Delay or fail in reaching full development: The factory lags regularly in making its quota.

Hang back; linger; delay: The old friends lagged because they wanted to talk some more.

Decrease, wane, or flag gradually, as in intensity: Interest lagged as the meeting went on.

Lag as a NounLag as a NounLagging or falling behind; retardation.A person who lags behind, is the last to

arrive, etc.An interval or lapse of time: There was a

developmental lag in the diffusion of ideas.

Processing as a VerbProcessing as a VerbTo put through the steps of a prescribed

procedure: processing newly arrived immigrants; process an order.

To prepare, treat, or convert by subjecting to a special process: process ore to obtain minerals.

Process as a NounProcess as a NounA series of actions, changes, or functions bringing

about a result: the process of digestion; the process of obtaining a driver's license.

A series of operations performed in the making or treatment of a product: a manufacturing process; leather dyed during the tanning process.

Progress; passage: the process of time; events now in process.

Which term more Which term more accurately describes accurately describes the target action?the target action?

• I don’t care if you don’t agree! It’s my presentation!

ModelsModelsWhat is a Model of Interpreting?Why is it important to study them?

Looking into the “Black Box”What do they tell us?GishCokelyColonomos

CokelyCokely

ColonamosColonamos

What a model can and cannot What a model can and cannot do.do.Learning a new model will not instantly

impact your skillsLearning a new model will impact you

training.Models give a visual representation of an

abstract concept

No Model for Processing timeNo Model for Processing timeAt least not that I know of…Have you ever seen one?What can a Processing Time Model

show us?

PhysicsPhysicsWe must pause and take a deep breath I am not a physicist I don’t even play one on t.v.All of the physics in this presentation is

more “physish” than “physics” It is here to make a point.

The PointThe Point• We perceive time as an “enemy”

• We feel it crushing us• We feel it controlling us• We don’t know how to exert our will over time

• We don’t know what to do with the time we have.

Processing Time Vs. Actual Processing Time Vs. Actual TimeTime In order to understand the model I propose

for Processing Time, we must first look at how physicist describe actual time.

SCIENCEHave you ever looked back in time?Have you ever looked in a mirror?Have you ever looked at the stars?

Space is Relative to the Space is Relative to the ObserverObserverSpaceThe tennis ballThe tennis ball on the train

Time is Relative to Time is Relative to the Observerthe Observer• Einstein’s Theory of

Relativity

Future Light Cone

Past Light Cone

Present

Based on a model from the book “A Brief History of Time: Big Bang to Black Holes”

Future Light Cone

Past Light Cone

Present

Event enters the future Light Cone… The Sun Goes Out!

HOW DO WE ENVISION THE HOW DO WE ENVISION THE

TIME BETWEEN THE EVENTS?TIME BETWEEN THE EVENTS?

• The question now is…

Light WavesLight Waves“Time” can be thought of as the interval from crest to crest

Time and Speed are not the same thing

A Change in Frequency Does Not A Change in Frequency Does Not

Change the Speed… Only the Look!Change the Speed… Only the Look!

Future Light Cone

Past Light Cone

Present

Event enters the future Light Cone… The Sun Goes Out!

The observer on earth sees the event as the present only when the light arrives .

An observer from another position would see it as a unified event happening in a set order … a shifting “present”

Time is RelativeTime is RelativeTo the position of the observerTo the distance from the target event If you could travel away from the event at

the speed of light you could, in theory stop time because the light would never reach you.

In theory you can control “time” by understanding the relative relationships

So What!So What!• What does any of this have

to do with interpreting?

See Time See Time DifferentlyDifferently

• See time as a part of the process

• Not a detriment to the process

• See time

The Change Over Time FormulaThe Change Over Time FormulaC/T=Pt

Change over time=processing time unitsAccept the position of the interpreter as the

“Present”The Contextual Stream looks into the future,

the contextual possibilities become broader the further you look into the future

Future context stream

Past text/context stream

Interpreter

A Word on the Concept of A Word on the Concept of

Contextual ConeContextual ConeThis includes all observable information

and background knowledge. It is the interpreters“known universe”Anything that happens outside the known

universe should not impact the interpretation.

But, it does…

Textual EventTextual EventAnything happening outside the contextual

cone cannot directly impact the interpretation

(Your shopping, laundry, schoolwork, etc…)

When a Textual Event enters the contextual cone the interpreter must prepare to deal with it in “the present”

Future context stream

Past text/context stream

Interpreter

Textual event enters the future context stream

The Change Over Time FormulaThe Change Over Time FormulaThe textual event enters the context cone at a point

in the future relative to the position of the interpreter.The Interpreter must deal with such “future events”As the event nears the “present” the contextual

possibilities narrow.For the observer the “present” occurs when the

information is relayed by the interpreterWhen the interpreter actually relays the

information…the information entered the cone in the past.

Text FlowText FlowDiscourse, Transition or Prosity Marker

Change/Time

Events

Crest to CrestCrest to CrestCarol Patrie’s books give a good theoretical

basis for understanding the some of the “Changes”

Temporal RelationshipsSpatial RelationshipsLogical Relationships These are just three examples of many…

A Change in Frequency Does Not A Change in Frequency Does Not

Change the Speed… Only the Look!Change the Speed… Only the Look!

Speed of Information versus Speed of Information versus Speed of SignsSpeed of SignsJust because someone moves their hands

fast Just because someone strings words

together fast does not mean the communication is fast

Understanding the context is the first step.Understanding the relationships is the

second

In other words…In other words…People talk how they talkSpeaking fast does not mean that the

“speed” of the information is necessarily also fast.

Signing fast refers to the motion of the hands… but not the speed of the information.

Lets see it in action!Lets see it in action!• http://youtu.be/c_piKF7XH18

Lets see it in action!Lets see it in action!• http://www.ted.com/talks/

dan_barasch_a_park_underneath_the_hustle_and_bustle_of_new_york_city

Lets see it in action!Lets see it in action!• http://www.ted.com/talks/

mac_barnett_why_a_good_book_is_a_secret_door

For more discussionFor more discussion• Dale H Boam Esq. CI, Utah Master• dboam@comcast.net• 801-815-2547 v/text