More than a decade ago, journalist James Gleick delivered a lecture at Duke University’s Sanford Institute of Public Policy mocking Western society’s obsession with saving time. He had just released a book entitled Faster: The Acceleration of Just About Everything after observing the way Americans were adjusting to technological advances such as speed dial, fast forward, and instant replay.

"As we drum our fingers on the desk as a weather map takes a few seconds to download, from data received half an hour ago from a satellite in space, we ask, 'Why is this taking so long?'" Gleick remarked at the Duke gathering. "It's staggering how much things have changed." By his prediction, American society was headed for an increasingly faster future.

[See The Duke Chronicle's report on Gleick’s address.]

Things have continued to change since Gleick delivered his address, and few would argue that most of America's life-pace has continued to rise. The Journal of the Association for Psychological Science, for example, reported in March of this year that America’s “fast food culture” has made us increasingly impatient. This confirms the hypothesis of Dr. George Ritzer in his book The McDonaldization of Society.

But is this future set in stone? Not everyone is pleased by the speed of life. Many think that the speed of our society is robbing us of life’s most precious gifts—intimacy, rest, and relationship. A faster pace works for now, but some question whether this is the best social framework for the next year or the next generation. They are mobilizing their networks and pursuing their callings in a way that promotes a slower, smarter, and better tomorrow.

A recent issue of GOOD Magazine devoted itself to perspectives on slowing society. They encouraged practices like gardening and reading, and featured organizations like Slowlab, a non-profit encouraging design professionals to consider the history, meaning, and life cycle of their products. Rather than hurrying to design a product and then rushing it to market, Slowlab promotes a “considered approach” that first questions whether the product is necessary and then reflects on the best way to sustainably design and produce it.

Accompanying such efforts is the rise in widespread popularity of old-world systems, such as local food production and knitting. Many people are now riding bikes not simply to save the earth but also to enjoy the time we inhabit it.

Or consider the new urbanism movement, which promotes “livable communities” that are sustainable and enjoyable. Proponents are developing neighborhoods that promote walking and mingling through ubiquitous sidewalks, front porches, and the mixing of restaurants and shops with residential housing. Rather than rushing around in one’s car, a livable community allows for more time at home and with friends. Some governments, like the State of Oregon, have begun adopting anti-sprawl laws to promote the development of these types of communities.

[For more on new urbanism, watch this short film.]

From a Christian perspective, such efforts may be promising. Reflection, prayer, and meditation are big parts of the Christian way that require us to slow down. God told Job to “Stop and consider God’s wonders” (Job 37:14). Who can forget the words of Psalm 46:10: “Be still and know that I am God.” How can one hear the still, small voice of the Lord if they do not stop long enough to listen? Perhaps our lightning fast pace keeps us from fully connecting with God and others.

There is no way to tell whether efforts to slow life down will die the unfortunate death of all fads or take root and change the course of society.  Are Americans heading for a faster future or a slower tomorrow? It seems we’ll have to . . . wait to find out.


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Editor's note: The retro-futurist artwork above is a piece by Frank Tinsley entitled "Lunar Unicycle" (1959).

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