Payne (2013) said that “If it’s possible to change the present, then it’s going to take an action on much greater scale than just exist or step on an insect to make any impact.” This is how Payne treats the continuum. In popular culture, the word is treated as the concept space-time continuum. The continuum refers to the reality of timelines. It becomes a central plot device on “The Flash”, where the flashpoint paradox is responsible for dramatic timeline changes (McCabe 2016, 2016). Or in classic movies like “Back to the Future,” where the spacetime continuum is a constant theme between Doc Brown, Marty, and Marty. Russon 2015 describes the space time continuum as a natural phenomenon which can alter both past and present reality. In truth, the space time continuum doesn’t concern time travel.
The true definition of space-time continuum hinges on Einstein’s theory general relativity. It is the platform or curvature in which all things in time and space occur (Russon 2015). There may be other definitions of the space-time continuum that are more accurate than those already used for scientific purposes. There are three additional definitions of the word “continuumm” that are more unusual, namely their lexical and mathematical definitions. “Something that changes its “quality” slowly or in very minor stages without having any clear dividing marks.” (Cambridge Dictionary. Retrieved from the Cambridge Dictionary, n.d. A continuum can be described as something that is constantly changing starting from one point. You can observe a continuum in every aspect of your life, including the continuum in Philippine history and specifically in courtship. The “chameleons” are Filipinos. This is due to the fact that they settled in the Philippines and changed the lives of Filipinos. Courtship in the Philippines was once taboo. In fact, lovers were forbidden from seeing each other without being married (Mahusay, Romero (2015)). They were also looked down upon for showing affection publicly. Kevin (n.d.) says this is because the Filipino culture believes that there are other ways to express affection, private between the two persons who are involved. Traditional Filipinas would keep their feelings for a man secret and exercise great restraint. Gentlemen were expected to get the blessing of their parents before making any advances.
Because of the rise in intercultural relationships, affectionate displays became more common as time went by. According to Mahusay and Romero (2015) analysis, courtship began to focus more on the liberalism of Filipino youth. This allows them to express themselves in whatever way they feel is appropriate. It became more common for couples to go on dates and hold hands. The woman approved that a man pursue a woman, and it was encouraged to express feelings. These cultural changes didn’t happen overnight. It was gradual, but steady, progress that took place over time. Online dating, for example, has opened up new avenues of courting. Holman, 2013, 2013. The acceptance and recognition of homosexual relationships, which began under the radar, is widespread. These transitions are not clear, but the small adjustments make a huge difference from when men only courted women who would happily date someone from another country. The continuum will continue to evolve and change without anyone ever knowing the exact end. The term continuum is also used in mathematics. It is “a continuous, overlapping system or range of elements that are not affected by each other in any significant degree,” (Rouse 2016).
To simplify the concept, a continuum can be described as a sequence. Mathigon (n.d.), states that a continuum is a series of objects that are organized in a certain pattern. This is analogous to natural or counting numerals whose values differ by just one. These objects can also be called the elements of the continuum. The continuum is fundamentally a mathematical concept, though many do not know this. Feferman, n.d., “On the contrary,” R (real number system) has been shown to work together with N (natural numbers representing counting numbers] to form one of the core structures of mathematics. Together they are the sine qua nu of our subject, pure and applied. This is possible because the set can be considered a continuous. Because each value is one-to-one, each value does not differ from the others and increases only in set increments, it may be considered a continuum. A set of real figures starts with one (1) and continues to two (2), third (3), and fourth (4).
A continuum’s extremes (or elements opposite one another in the sequence, such as negative and positive infinity) have a distinct difference. A set of real numbers starting at one (1) has a significant difference to the first number. This is because a set will continue increasing in value as it goes along. The term continuum is used in connection with human characteristics and parental influences. Jean Leidloff who was the inventor of the word continuum used the term to describe the characteristics of a person as well as their family, clan and community. At specific times in life, human beings exhibit a particular behavior.
Jean Leidloff explains how the human continuum affects the baby’s natural physiological needs. This includes having a baby’s mother present or someone who is able to respond to her/his signals immediately without showing any sign of dissatisfaction or judgement. Continuum helps you discover your true nature. Continuum creates connections between one person and his/her social groups. “The continuum that an individual has is complete, but it is also part of the continuum that his family, clan, community, and species have, just like the continuum for all life.” Jean Leidloff. As each person in the world contains a continuum, it is connected to all others. These connections can be made by everyday interactions. These interactions, even if they are short-term, provide another opportunity for the participants to experience an additional aspect of their emotional, psychological, and physical growth. Natural social animals, humans will always seek interpersonal relationships (Waytz (2014). The concept of “Continuum” is a way to understand evolution, human development, and sequences. It has a starting point, but not a definite ending. It is a constant process of change, with no specific turning points.
Everyone experiences continuum from their earliest years until their last breaths. Every day we are undergoing a continuum of experiences, which changes us subtly. It may be your own continuum, that of your family, school, country, or of all people. However, we all eventually connect into the same continuum. Because everyone experiences different events and people in their lives, this is why there are so many. Their past beliefs and ideas would have a significant impact on their current reactions, which could lead to changes in future actions. Each person is unique and each one of them will be different. Every person is unique because the human continuum within each person makes them different. This would create a society that grows and develops together, while also allowing for greater collaboration.