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Time drags when danger looms

By James Randerson

2 November 2002

HAVE you ever felt your life go into slow motion as you realise something bad is happening? You might have just knocked over a wine glass or noticed a car hurtling towards you, for example. Now scientists have measured exactly how much these attention-grabbing events slow down our perception of the world around us.

Another example of the world appearing to slow down is when you are hanging on the phone waiting for someone to pick up at the other end. If your attention wanders while you’re waiting, then suddenly switches back, you will probably hear what seems like a…

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