Judy Wajcman, 2015, ‘Finding Time in a Digital Age’ in Pressed for Time: The Acceleration of Life in Digital Capitalism, University of Chicago Press, Chicago, ch.7.
Judy Wajcman writes about an accelerated society, arguing that we have become slaves to the monsters we have created. She suggests that people are becoming accustomed to instant gratification as a result of online shopping, pre-made meals and meal kits, and same day shipping. Although she does remind us that this concept of having things delivered to our doorsteps is not a new concept, with household deliveries and mail order catalogs common in the 19th century. The idea of ‘immediacy,’ the “[assumption] of instant delivery and effortlessly achievable abundance” is not exclusive to this period of time as a result of technology- although it is made easier. This fast past, inescapable world where we are all constantly connected the idea of a slower life (or at least slower aspects in life) have become desired; slow food, slow cities, simple living network.
Through the reading, it is evident that we cannot simply chose a fast or slow passed life and rather have to pick and chose aspects of technology and all they have to offer that benefit our lifestyles best, as technology grows we are provided with many new positive opportunities- if we chose what suits us correctly.
“Machines, of course, do not make history by themselves. But some kinds of machines help make different kinds of histories and different kinds of people than others.”
– Susan Douglas