time

[jake03]

is there a way to slow down the time and advancements

[Cam]

Probably the best thing to do is start your game and make a scenario of it by amending the clock and the tech'/advances paradigm via the cheat menu.

[zyxpsilon]

The "research/Tech paradigm" parameter can also be modified in the section -COSMIC- of Rules.TXT.
In fact, accelerating or decelerating that factor gives >indirectly< a sense of "time & advancement" modification.
The only other way was mentioned in the message above by Cam.