Technology’s Time Compression
May 31st, 2004Interesting article from Fast Company entitled, “Technology’s Time Compression”:
“Time compression is the driving force behind many lifestyle changes. Just 15 years ago, most people, when asked how they were doing, would say “good.” Today’s answer is much more likely, “busy.” The state of mind has become a state of time.”
“People used to plan sending mail weeks ahead. Now, it’s fashionable to wait until the last minute, emailing at the eleventh hour or making FedEx look like a post office at Christmas around 5:30 p.m.”
“Technology, of course, is the chief engine propelling time compression. While the trend began some 150 years ago with the introduction of time zones, it got a big boost in the ’40s with the debut of fast food and the microwave oven, instant photography, and commercial jetliners. The jet age helped compress time zones, an advancement that unfortunately came to a halt with the demise of the Concorde.”
Combine time compression with the new economy depression syndrome and you have one busy world that is need of slowing down and, well, smelling the roses. This has kind of been my mantra lately. And it’s working.