We live at ever-higher speeds. In modern technological culture, speed has been internalised as an end-in-itself; our designed world further reinforces the value we place on speed – from high-speed trains to ultra-fast information networks. Speed defines our products, our environments, our way of life, and our imaginations. Growth is embedded in our culture. It drives the design of artefacts, systems, and environments: in computing, transportation, work entertainment, education and health.
Large size and the drive to increase size are basic causes of many of the ills of our times. The notion that big is good and bigger better has held sway too long among politicians, economists, business people, journalists and TV commentators. Industry is considered more viable if big. It creates massive demands through colossal expenditure on advertising so that it can produce more with larger machines so that it can have even larger markets. Small and medium companies are destroyed in the process taking control of local economies and jobs away from these communities. The Gross National Product has become a state God, putting strains on people, using up resources and creating pollution. Persuaded by politicians and others that all is needed is faster economic growth, people do not face up to the moral issue of just distribution of the present excess of goods and services. Science and technology is trapped in the bigger is better syndrome. The urban environment including, schools, building, cars, roads and houses has become to large to be compatible with human dignity, well being and spiritual growth.
Expansion means complexity and complexity decays.
Is faster always better, or is there a price to be paid for a constant acceleration of production, information, and daily life? Does the value we place on speed prevent us from living more lightly on the planet? Can one be modern, and slow?
High speeds for all mean that everyone has less time for himself (Ivan Illich).