Tis fascinating, this belief among you Men of Science, remarks Dr. J., that Time is ever more simply transcended, the further one is willing to journey away from London, to observe it. Why, Mason here's done the very thing, cries Boswell. In America. Ask him. Mason glowers, shaking his head. I've ascended, descended, even condescended, and the List's not ended,- but haven't yet trans-cended a blessèd thing, thankee.
In "Mason & Dixon" by Thomas Pynchon, Dr. J. comments on a peculiar belief among scientists regarding the nature of time, suggesting that it becomes simpler to understand the further one travels from London. This assertion is met with skepticism from Mason, who contradicts the notion by sharing his own extensive travels, claiming that despite his experiences, he has not managed to grasp this so-called transcendence of time.
Mason's reflections highlight a tension between scientific theories and personal experiences, illustrating how one's journeys may not yield the enlightenment or clarity expected. His declaration of not having transcended anything questions the validity of the belief that distance from a familiar place can lead to broader understanding, emphasizing the complexity of time that cannot be easily escaped or simplified.
