ThAct : The Culture of Speed and the Counter Culture of Slow Movements

 This activity is a part of my academic writing...

👉 Paul Virilio's Dromology : The study of Speed 

Dromology. Dromos is an Ancient Greek noun for race or racetrack, which Virilio applied the activity of racing. It is with this meaning in mind that he coined the term 'dromology', which he defined as the "science (or logic) of speed“

Ours is an era defined by speed. Paul Virilio, the contemporary French thinker, is one of the most important theorists of speed dromology and technology. He has amply discussed their role in human history, especially in the modern times. Among the contemporary writers, Don DeLillo is also centrally concerned with aspects of post modernity including speed, technology and virtuality also elaborated by Virilio. Reading the American writer in conjunction with the French theorist could shed new light on the significance of the former and the relevance of the latter. Such a reading can enhance our understanding of some seminal aspects of the contemporary scene.

Paul Virilio is a contemporary French theorist who has amply discussed the significance of speed and technology in the postmodern era. Through a close reading of Cosmopolis and Virilio’s theories, the present paper aims to contribute to current criticism on DeLillo’s postmodernist fiction. While much of the criticism on Cosmopolishas focused on its premonitory quality concerning 9/11, and its relationship to American popular culture, there is no comprehensive discussion of the postmodern city in the light of Virilio’s ideas concerning speed and technology. The current paper offers the discussion. An attempt is made to read DeLillo’s representations of the postmodern city in terms of Virilio’s views on technology and dromology as well as the related concepts of telepresence and disappearance.

👉 Honore on Slow Movement

Journalist Carl Honore is an advocate of the Slow Movement. His book 'In Praise of Slowness' explores today's fast-moving societies and lifestyles. Our Western world's emphasis on speed is not benefiting us as individuals and Honore stresses this fact throughout his speech. Living in a speed-obsessed society often takes a toll on our health, relationships, community and the environment. 

Whether a serious illness, burnout or the end of a relationship, Honore expresses that a wake-up call is often needed to make individuals realize their need to slow down. Our speed obsession has made us a culture that does not take the time to be fully involved with anything or anyone.

The journalist states that we are so busy rushing through our lives instead of living them and that we are so focused on living a fast life instead of having a good life.

👉 My intakes from this talk

This movement examines our compulsion to hurry and chronicles a global trend toward putting on the brakes. It is the unofficial handbook and bible of the Slow Movement. 

Is the Slow Movement anti-speed?

Of course not! I’m not an extremist of slowness. I love speed. But faster is not always better. Being Slow means doing everything at the correct speed: quickly, slowly or whatever pace works best. Slow means being present, living each moment fully, putting quality before quantity in everything from work and  food and parenting.

Has our obsession with speed has gone too far?

It’s reached the point of absurdity. You can now do courses in Speed Yoga or attend a Drive Thru Funeral. A magazine in Britain even published an article recently on how to bring about an orgasm in 30 seconds! So even in the bedroom it’s, “On your marks, get set, go!” Our speedaholism is out of control, and we all know it.

But if we slow down, surely life will pass us by?

On the contrary. Life is what’s happening right here, right now and only by slowing down can you live it to the full. If you are always rushing, you only skim the surface of things.

Thank you...