Dune Read-Along discussion

How do you feel about time? Do you feel like your schedule has room? Do you feel like you have to rearrange, push, or otherwise nudge tasks to make space for your passions or your downtime?

I think about how I use my time frequently, muttering about where it all goes while I'm tapping away at a mobile game, and my musings only increase when I read Dune. The matter of time especially rises to the surface in about the middle of our February pages. For one thing, time jumps ahead and does so rather unexpectedly--though I don't know if a time jump is ever expected, exactly.

When we saw Paul last, he was learning to process the different possibilities from different timelines flowing around him. To navigate the past, present, and future at the same time is beyond my imagining. Particularly since the futures are possibilities. Things are not immutable. What would this do to the act of making a decision? I'm already somewhat indecisive.

Anyway! When we encounter Paul preparing for a key Fremen rite of passage with the sandworms, the various times swirl around him. The first time I read Dune, it took me a minute to grasp that time skipped ahead for everyone--not only Paul. His thoughts aren't chaos, exactly, but they're scattered.

My questions for you: how do you currently perceive time (do you feel like you have enough?) and why do you feel that way? If you had all of Paul's Mentat and Bene Gesserit abilities, would you want to be able to view time as he does? How do you think you would you navigate the present while gazing upon multiple, distinct futures?

I feel like I never have time for anything, but usually it’s because I “waste” my time on TV and my phone. Reading happens mostly at night. I also sometimes just feel overwhelmed by all the things I want to do, particularly on my days off, that I waste my time on purpose cause I can’t make a decision. So I rewatch The Office for the third time LOL!

Ashley wrote: "I feel like I never have time for anything, but usually it’s because I “waste” my time on TV and my phone. Reading happens mostly at night. I also sometimes just feel overwhelmed by all the things ..."

It's like you see me. I often lament about having no time to work on projects.....and then I play Skyrim for 4 hours, or watch the entire run of parks and rec.

Amy wrote: "How do you feel about time? Do you feel like your schedule has room? Do you feel like you have to rearrange, push, or otherwise nudge tasks to make space for your passions or your downtime?

I thin..."

I feel all of this deeply, Ashley. I spend way too much time on social media. I also like returning to the comfort blanket of stories I know and love, like Parks and Recreation. Plus sometimes I want to do something that gives my tired brain a break. I get frustrated with myself when I feel I haven't used my time productively, but at the same time, I try to balance that with what I need for my mind to be rested and clear.

Glenn wrote: "Ashley wrote: "I feel like I never have time for anything, but usually it’s because I “waste” my time on TV and my phone. Reading happens mostly at night. I also sometimes just feel overwhelmed by ..."

YEP. (I've watched through Parks and Rec so many times).