What Make Us Human?

Humanity is a weird thing.
​Each of us possesses our own unique perception of the world, and it varies from person to person.

---

Have you ever felt that time sometimes runs faster than it should? Einstein once suggested that it could be due to differences in gravitational fields between places. But is that truly the case? Psychologically, we often experience time moving swiftly when we're happy, and slower when we're sad. Personally, I've noticed that whenever I'm engrossed in something I love, time flies by. It's as if the duration of time is influenced by our moods or, in other words, relative to each individual.
Have you ever come across memes featuring a serious scene in a movie with an oddly mismatched background sound? Or watched a film that intended to scare, but instead left you feeling emotional? Have you ever noticed some people who are undisturbed while sleeping with noise in the background, while others can't do anything if there's even a slight disturbance? Our perception of sound varies from person to person and can greatly influence our emotions, triggering anxiety or other responses.
Not long ago, my parents visited me while I was abroad. Strangely enough, as we hugged and said our goodbyes, I felt an overwhelming surge of emotions, and tears streamed down my face. It was bizarre because I knew I would be returning home to them in a few weeks, and I had already been away for over two years. The act of touch intensifies our emotional experiences; it enhances our feelings. This doesn't just apply to sad emotions but also to other emotions. For example, when I attended my graduation ceremony online, I didn't experience any emotions or a sense of accomplishment. However, when I attended my graduation in person a year earlier, the emotions felt more real. Perhaps it's because we can physically connect with one another—through hugs, handshakes, and congratulations—that our emotions are heightened, even if it sounds strange.
We, as humans, are fragile creatures. Sometimes we find ourselves crying uncontrollably, and other times we burst into fits of laughter. Whether we like it or not, our emotions are an integral part of us, and they define our humanity. Our heightened senses, which amplify these emotions, further contribute to our humanity. It's what sets us apart from machines or so-called artificial intelligence. Yes, we're weird creatures, but it's this uniqueness, shaped by our emotions, that makes us truly human.