Consider the two dimensional curve, parameterised by t

x = a * sqrt(t) + r * cos(t^2) y = b * sqrt(t) + r * sin(t^2)

If you are monitoring long term progress towards (100a, 100b) you are disappointed to see that progress is slowing. And yet the short term whirl is whirling ever faster.

I suspect that a weak version of Sapir-Whorf is in play. It is difficult to describe the equation in prose. The limitations of natural language handicap us in our efforts to defend against the pathology it exemplifies.