Why is it that frequently when I look at a digital clock that the numbers are 3:33, 5:55, 2:22, 12:12, etc...?

Question

What is going on?

Answer 1

I'm glad you mention that -- I actually have the exact same problem -- except it's with 11:34 (which spells hell backwards).....I've even gotten myself kinda freaked out about it -- it NEVER fails I'm walking around somewhere and will just happen to glance at a clock and that the time!!! I don't know why it happens -- maybe it's just that I'm more aware so I think about it -- and probably the same with you.

Answer 2

Some new age schools of thought purport that those seemingly "random" moments when you notice the repeating sequences of numbers on a digital clock are actually times when we are receiving transmissions from higher intelligences ... the numbers are a universal language or encoding of some kind. Of course, it's all pretty nutty sounding, but if you are interested, type things like 11:11 into any search engine and see what comes up. there will be all kinds of fascinating weird mind science reading!

And this has been happening to me to for about fifteen years now!!

Answer 3

I can think of two reasons.

(1) You would be looking at the clock at lots of different times but that certain combinations of digits stand out to you and the numbers register consciously in your mind. Other combinations of digits don't register in the same way.

(2) You see the digits on the clock with peripheral vision and those combinations of digits attract your eyes to the clock. When driving, I am sometimes surprised to find myself looking at the odometer of my car just when it reaches another thousand mark and there are three zeros in a row. I think it is because my eyes often scan the dash board to check the speed and see the odometer with only peripheral vision. But the row of three zeros on the odometer subconsciously attracts my interest.

Answer 4

sounds like your looking for something.... if your trying to look for something more ghostly you should stick with only one set time or two at the most... fact is a person is not gonna remember that many different times... im guessing you been sitting around going ok.. i saw it it was 12:12 now ill just do something and take my mind off of it and not look at the clock anymore... time goes by you check your clock...oh its only 12:49 nothing yet... little more time.........1:04 wow... time taking for ever... well three or four more in there and you finally get to see the 2:22...wow how your mind suddenly forgot 1249 104 and the others you saw.. your chosing to block the others out....

Answer 5

It really isn't the case, but you forget the times you saw 5:26, 12:19, and other non-memorable numbers. Whenever, you see an interesting number, you notice it and remember it.

Answer 6

You most likely look at a digital clock more often than you realize. You just make a bigger mental note of it when the digits are all the same. It happens to everyone.

Answer 7

Don't know...but don't complain. Several times a week I look at the clock just to find out it's 9:11 !!! Pretty spooky huh?

Answer 8

Because you subconsciously know that it is 3:33, 5:55, etc... and you consciously look at your watch.

Answer 9

in the process of evolution when man was not able to answer all questions about happening around him he developed a chemical in his brain- dopain. It helps him to think that there is some super natural phenomenon behind certain happening to make it rational. may be in your brain you have little more dopamine and as a result you try to find some meaning out of every happening and when you don't get rational meaning you think of some super natural phenomenon.

Answer 10

In reality you look at your clock more than you think, these odd or infrequent times are simply the only ones you seem to remember.