《給活在「現在」孤島的我們：為什麼要去「過去」這個異國旅行？》
～～跨越時間的斷裂，在歷史的異國裡，找回完整的自己
古殿殿主
今天想跟你們聊聊「旅行」，但不是那種訂機票、收行李的旅行，而是一場發生在時間裡的冒險。
我們現代人很喜歡出國。只要一放假，就想逃離現在生活的城市，去日本、去歐洲，去感受不同的異國風情。我們總覺得，只要跨出了地理上的舒適圈，我們就能看見更大的世界。
但你有沒有想過：
除了空間上的異國，「過去」其實也是一個異國？
這句話聽起來有點玄，對吧？
這是殿主最近重讀歷史學家**大衛羅溫索(David Lowenthal,1923-2018)**的經典名著《The Past Is a Foreign Country》（中文可譯作《過去是一個陌生國度》或《過往是他鄉》）時，心裡最強烈的震撼。這本書的書名源自一句經典小說開頭：
「過去是一個外國；他們那裡做事的方式跟我們不一樣。」
這本書被譽為歷史遺產研究與歷史哲學的里程碑，影響深遠。
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#【我們以為歷史是一條綿延的線，其實它是斷裂的河流】
一般人眼裡，「歷史」好像是一條綿延的直線。我們總覺得，過去是現在的基礎，時間像是一條河，從以前流到現在，順理成章。我們理所當然地覺得自己是過去的「升級版」。
但身為一個每天在「古殿樂藏」摸索歷史錄音的人，我必須誠實地告訴大家：
這個「線性發展」的感覺，其實是一種錯覺。
真實的情況是，我們活在一段又一段時間的「斷裂」裡。
舉個最生活化的例子吧。 對於一個從小聽線上數位串流（Streaming）、用手機滑Spotify長大的孩子來說，你把一張黑膠唱片，甚至一張CD放在他面前，他可能完全無法分辨這是什麼？ 在他眼裡，這不是「舊的音樂載體」，這根本是一個「外星物體」。他不知道怎麼拿？不知道怎麼放？更無法理解為什麼聽個音樂要這麼麻煩，還要小心翼翼地把唱針放下去。
你看，這中間沒有「線性的連結」，這中間是巨大的鴻溝。 對於這個孩子來說，黑膠時代就是一個徹徹底底的「異國」。那裡的語言（類比訊號）、那裡的習俗（實體聆聽的儀式感）、那裡的人對聲音的態度，跟現在完全不同。
如果我們不主動去跨越這道鴻溝，過去就真的永遠「過去」了，跟我們一點關係都沒有了！
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#【舒適圈，就是我們「現在」的孤島】
我們常喊著要「跨出舒適圈」。 通常大家以為的舒適圈，是指習慣的生活環境、不想改變的懶惰。 但在時間的長河裡，真正的舒適圈，是我們的習以為常的「觀念認知」與「知識系統」。
我們習慣了音樂是乾淨無雜訊的，習慣了資訊是隨手可得的，習慣了所有東西都要快、要便利。這就是我們這個時代的舒適圈。
當我們用這種心態去看待「過去」這個異國時，我們很容易帶著傲慢與成見。 我們會嫌棄老錄音「怎麼這麼多炒豆聲？」，會覺得以前的人「怎麼這麼沒效率？」，甚至覺得歷史就是「過時的老東西」。
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#【過去，其實就是一個還沒被去過的「新世界」】
這聽起來可能有點怪。過去？那不是已經發生的舊事嗎？那不是老掉牙的東西嗎？
剛剛那句名言說得太好了：
「過去是一個外國；他們那裡做事的方式跟我們不一樣。」
請把這一句話放在心裡咀嚼一下。
如果過去是一個「外國」，那就代表它對我們來說，是陌生的、新鮮的，甚至是未知的。
試想一下，對於一個從小滑手機、聽串流音樂長大的朋友來說，當他第一次看到黑膠唱片，第一次聽到那種帶有空氣感的類比聲音，那種感覺是什麼？ 那絕對不是「懷舊」，因為他從來沒經歷過那個年代。 對他來說，那就是**「全新的體驗」**！
這就是我說的「反差感」。 我們以為自己在回頭看舊東西，但因為時間的斷裂（Technology Gap），這些舊東西對現代的感官來說，其實是前所未有的新刺激。
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#【擁抱反差，就是擁抱「全新的可能」】
我們常害怕「反差」，害怕跟現在不一樣的東西，覺得那叫「落伍」、叫「麻煩」。這就是我們的舒適圈。
但如果你換個樂觀的角度想：所有的反差，其實都可能是靈感的火花。
羅溫索在書裡提到一個很棒的觀點：我們不需要刻意去把過去「修復」得跟現代一樣完美。那些歲月的痕跡、那些不完美的雜訊，正是那個異國最迷人的風景。
當你願意接受這份反差，你會發現你的人生突然打開了「外掛」：
- 你會獲得一種「雙聲道」的聽力： 別人都只聽得懂現代的數位語言，追求快、追求準。但因為你去過「過去」這個異國，你聽得懂那種慢下來的、帶有雜訊的、充滿人味的語言。你的感知能力，比別人多了一個維度。這不就是一種升級嗎？
- 你會發現「困境」其實是「養分」： 現在的人很焦慮，焦慮於未來很難掌控。但當你在歷史的異國裡旅行過，看過以前的人如何在更艱難的戰火與動盪中，依然創作出偉大的音樂與藝術。你會突然覺得，現在的這些困難好像也沒那麼可怕了。 那些歷史的智慧，會變成你面對未來的秘密武器。
- 你會把斷裂的世界「接」起來： 這是我覺得最棒的一點。我們不需要因為聽黑膠就丟掉 Spotify，不需要因為愛歷史就拒絕AI。 相反地，當你跨出了舒適圈，去認識了那個「斷裂」的過去，你是把過去與現在這兩塊拼圖拼在一起了。你的世界變大了，你變得更完整了。
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#【去「過去」旅行，是為了帶回更棒的自己】
殿主在經營「古殿樂藏」的時候，常有人覺得我是不是在對抗科技？是不是想躲進時光隧道裡不出來？
哈哈，完全不是。我是個很樂觀的人，我超級享受現代生活的便利。 我之所以這麼熱愛推廣歷史錄音，是因為我真心覺得：
這是一場超值的投資，甚至在未來會產生無價的複利，會越做越有價值。
我們去「過去」這個異國旅行，不是為了移民到那裡去住。 而是像所有的旅行一樣，我們去體驗、去感受、去被那個不一樣的文化衝擊。然後，我們把在那裡學到的寬容、在那裡聽到的感動、在那裡找回來的「真實感」，打包放進背包裡，帶回來現在， 成為我們面對未來的資產與武器。
其實賈伯斯創立的「蘋果Apple」，某些核心價值也是透過去「過去旅行」所取回，實現在未來的。
當你帶著這些寶藏回到當下，你會發現： 你還是那個你，但你的眼神不一樣了，你的心變寬了，你對生活的感受力變強了。 原本讓你煩躁的雜訊，現在變成了生活的質感；原本讓你焦慮的未知，現在變成了探索的樂趣。
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【寫在最後～～給自己一張通往「異國」的機票】
所以，別把「跨出舒適圈」想得那麼痛苦，好像是要去修行一樣。 其實，它就只是一場快樂的冒險。
過去不只是過去。 對於活在當下的我們來說：
～過去，就是一個等待你去探索的全新世界。
只要你願意轉個身，換個心態，不再用「舊」眼光看它，而是用「異國」的好奇心去擁抱它。 你會發現，那裡有滿滿的寶藏，正等著被你帶回來，點亮你現在的生活。
如果你準備好了，歡迎隨時來「古殿」找我。 我們不出國，但我們可以一起去那個最迷人的新世界，來一場最棒的時光旅行。
一起加油，為了那個更豐富、更有趣的自己！
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希望閱讀完後，對於殿主所寫的文字有感覺的您，踴躍幫忙分享。
您的分享是殿主持續努力推廣分享的最大動力。
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活動資訊
- 活動名稱：【古殿歷史名曲音樂喫茶第37場】克萊斯勒協奏曲之夜
- 時間：2026年1月16日（週五） 19:30 - 21:00
- 地點：古殿樂藏
- 名額：限定10席（額滿即止）
「古殿歷史名曲音樂喫茶」將是台灣目前唯一固定舉辦此類深度歷史聆聽活動的空間。
（報名表單連結在留言中）
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活動名稱：【古殿歷史名曲音樂喫茶第37場】克萊斯勒協奏曲之夜：
👉 立即預約您的時空席位 (需匯款確認)：
【古殿PODCAST】第1集：《給活在「現在」孤島的我們：為什麼要去「過去」這個異國旅行？》～～跨越時間的斷裂，在歷史的異國裡，找回完整的自己：
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To Us, Stranded on the Island of "Now": Why Travel to the "Past" as if it Were a Foreign Land? ~~ Crossing the fracture of time to find our whole selves in the foreign land of history.
By the Owner of Gu Dian
Today, I want to talk to you about "travel." But I’m not talking about booking flights or packing suitcases. I’m talking about an adventure that happens within time itself.
We modern folks love to travel abroad. As soon as a holiday hits, we want to escape the city we live in—fly to Japan, fly to Europe—to soak up that exotic atmosphere. We tend to believe that as long as we step out of our geographical comfort zone, we’ll see a bigger world.
But have you ever thought about this: Aside from foreign countries on a map, the "Past" is actually a foreign country, too?
Sounds a bit mystical, doesn’t it?
This thought hit me with a profound impact recently while I was re-reading the classic book The Past Is a Foreign Country by historian David Lowenthal. The book’s title comes from the famous opening line of a novel:
"The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there."
This book is considered a milestone in heritage studies and the philosophy of history.
We think history is a continuous line, but it’s actually a broken river.
In most people’s eyes, "history" looks like a continuous straight line. We feel that the past is the foundation of the present, that time flows like a river from then to now in a logical order. We naturally assume we are the "upgraded version" of the past.
But as someone who spends every day at Gu Dian Le Cang, fumbling through historical recordings, I have to be honest with you:
This feeling of "linear development" is actually an illusion.
The reality is, we live in a series of "fractures" in time.
Let me give you a real-life example. Take a child who grew up listening to digital streaming, swiping through Spotify on a phone. If you place a vinyl record—or even a CD—in front of them, they might have absolutely no clue what it is. To their eyes, this isn’t an "old music format"; it’s practically an alien object. They don’t know how to hold it. They don’t know how to play it. They can’t understand why listening to music has to be so troublesome, requiring you to carefully lower a needle.
You see? There is no "linear connection" here. There is a massive chasm. To this child, the era of vinyl is completely and utterly a "foreign country." The language there (analog signals), the customs there (the ritual of physical listening), and the people’s attitude toward sound there are totally different from today.
If we don’t actively try to cross this chasm, the past truly remains "past"—gone forever, with no connection to us at all.
The "Comfort Zone" is our lonely island of "Now."
We often talk about "stepping out of our comfort zone." Usually, people think this means leaving a familiar environment or overcoming laziness. But in the long river of time, the real comfort zone is our habitual "concepts" and "knowledge systems."
We are used to music being clean and noise-free. We are used to information being available at our fingertips. We are used to everything being fast and convenient. That is the comfort zone of our era.
When we look at the "foreign country of the Past" with this mindset, it’s easy to be arrogant and prejudiced. We might complain, "Why does this old recording sound like frying beans (crackling noise)?" We might think people back then were inefficient, or that history is just "outdated old stuff."
The Past is actually a "New World" you haven’t visited yet.
This might sound strange. The past? Isn’t that old news? Isn't that obsolete?
Remember that quote: "The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there."
Please, let that sentence marinate in your heart for a moment.
If the past is a "foreign country," that means to us, it is strange, fresh, and even unknown.
Imagine that friend who grew up swiping on a phone. When he sees a vinyl record for the first time, when he hears that analog sound filled with "air" and texture for the first time—what is that feeling? It definitely isn’t "nostalgia," because he never lived through that era. To him, that is a "brand new experience!"
This is what I call the "sense of contrast." We think we are looking back at old things, but because of the fracture in time (the Technology Gap), these old things are actually unprecedented new stimuli for our modern senses.
Embracing contrast is embracing "brand new possibilities."
We are often afraid of "contrast." We fear things that are different from the present, labeling them as "behind the times" or "troublesome." That’s our comfort zone talking.
But look at it from a positive angle: All contrast is a potential spark for inspiration.
Lowenthal makes a great point in his book: We don’t need to deliberately "restore" the past to make it as perfect as the present. Those marks of time, those imperfect noises—they are the most charming scenery of that foreign land.
When you are willing to accept this contrast, you’ll find your life suddenly unlocks a "cheat code":
- You gain "Dual-Channel" hearing: Everyone else only understands the modern digital language—fast and precise. But because you’ve traveled to the "Past," you understand that slower language, the one with the crackles, the one full of human warmth. Your perception has an extra dimension compared to others. Isn't that an upgrade?
- You discover that "adversity" is actually "nutrition": Modern people are anxious because the future feels uncontrollable. But when you travel through history, seeing how people in the past created great music and art amidst war and turmoil, you suddenly feel that today’s difficulties aren't so scary. That historical wisdom becomes your secret weapon for facing the future.
- You reconnect the broken world: This is my favorite part. We don’t need to throw away Spotify just because we listen to vinyl. We don’t need to reject AI just because we love history. On the contrary, when you step out of your comfort zone to understand the "broken" past, you are piecing together the puzzle of then and now. Your world gets bigger. You become more complete.
Going to the "Past" is about bringing back a better version of yourself.
Running Gu Dian Le Cang, people often ask me if I’m trying to fight against technology or hide in a time tunnel.
Haha, absolutely not. I’m a huge optimist, and I thoroughly enjoy the conveniences of modern life. The reason I am so passionate about promoting historical recordings is that I genuinely believe:
This is a super-value investment. It creates priceless compound interest that only grows over time.
We travel to the "foreign country of the Past" not to immigrate there. Just like any trip, we go to experience, to feel, and to be impacted by a different culture. Then, we pack the tolerance we learned, the emotions we felt, and the "sense of reality" we recovered into our backpacks, and we bring them back to the present. They become our assets and armor for facing the future.
In fact, even the core values of Steve Jobs' Apple were partially retrieved from "travels to the past" and realized in the future.
When you return to the present with these treasures, you’ll find: You are still you, but your eyes look different. Your heart is wider. Your ability to feel life is stronger. The noise that used to annoy you now has texture; the unknown that used to make you anxious now becomes the joy of exploration.
A Final Note: Give yourself a ticket to this "Foreign Land."
So, don’t think of "stepping out of the comfort zone" as something painful or like strict discipline. Actually, it’s just a joyful adventure.
The past isn’t just the past. For us living in the now: ~ The Past is a brand new world waiting for you to explore.
As long as you are willing to turn around, change your mindset, and stop looking at it with "old" eyes—but instead embrace it with the curiosity of a traveler—you will find it full of treasures waiting to be brought back to light up your current life.
If you’re ready, you are welcome to find me at Gu Dian anytime. We won’t leave the country, but we can go together to that most fascinating new world for the best kind of time travel.
Let’s keep going, for that richer, more interesting version of ourselves!
If these words resonated with you, please feel free to share this post. Your shares are the biggest motivation for me to keep promoting and sharing these stories.
Event Information
Event Name: [Gu Dian Historical Masterpiece Music Salon No. 37] Night of Fritz Kreisler’s Concertos Time: Friday, January 16, 2026, 19:30 - 21:00 Location: Gu Dian Le Cang (古殿樂藏) Capacity: Limited to 10 seats (Registration closes when full)
"Gu Dian Historical Masterpiece Music Salon" is currently the only space in Taiwan regularly hosting this kind of deep historical listening event.
(Registration link in the comments)