Speed Limits: Where Time Went and Why We Have So Little Left

by Mark C. Taylor

A contemplation on “the durability of our fast-tracked, multitasked modern world . . . a stimulating cautionary report for the digital age.”—Kirkus Reviews   We live in an ever-accelerating faster computers, markets, food, fashion, product cycles, minds, bodies, kids, lives. When did everything start moving so fast? Why does speed seem so inevitable? Is faster always better? Drawing together developments in religion, philosophy, art, technology, fashion, and finance, Mark C. Taylor presents an original and rich account of a great paradox of our how the very forces and technologies that were supposed to free us by saving time and labor now trap us in a race we can never win. The faster we go, the less time we have, and the more we try to catch up, the farther behind we fall.  Connecting our speed-obsession with today’s global capitalism, he composes a grand narrative showing how commitments to economic growth and extreme competition, combined with accelerating technological innovation, have brought us close to disaster. Psychologically, environmentally, economically, and culturally, speed is taking a profound toll on our lives. By showing how the phenomenon of speed has emerged, Taylor offers us a chance to see our pace of life as the product of specific ideas, practices, and policies. It’s not inevitable or irreversible. He courageously and movingly invites us to imagine how we might patiently work towards a more deliberative life and sustainable world. “With panache and flashes of brilliance, Taylor, a Columbia University religion professor and cultural critic, offers a philosophically astute analysis of how time works in our era.” —Publishers Weekly

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Psychology, Technology, Religion, History

472 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 28, 2014

About the author

Mark C. Taylor, Ph.D. (Religious Studies, Harvard University, 1973; B.A., Wesleyan University, 1968), is a philosopher of religion who chaired the Department of Religion at Columbia University 2007–2015. Previously, he was Cluett Professor of Humanities at Williams College (Williamstown, Massachusetts), where he began his teaching career in 1973.

Reviews

[Unna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading the book's description on Goodreads, hello to another Goodreads Giveaway winning book, I had the impression that Taylor's "Speed Limits" would be approached in a psychological manner. I read said description to a fellow Goodreads member who, ironically, argued that the book would be more intriguing if the entire technology timeline was inspected. As I pushed through "Speed Limits" I honestly laughed, because a close inspection of the technology timeline is exactly what Mark C. Taylor gave to readers.

Weaving together religion, philosophy, art, finance, even global weather patterns, Mark C. Taylor gives an extensive and precise supportive argument of today's addiction to speed and the disastrous effects it tolls. To quote Taylor in his own words, ""Truly important works must be read slowly and the thinking that really matters takes time, sometimes an entire lifetime."--Speed Limits is one of those truly important works. Indeed, a tip for future readers: read slowly, interact between your mind and the words that jump off the pages, and, probably most important of all, have a dictionary nearby!

I have a bit of intelligence and can comprehend for the most part, but many phrases, words or events were new and unheard of to me. Therefore it was very difficult for me to finish this Goodreads Giveaway winner, but finished I did. Reading this more than once will be most beneficial, and I highly endorse it in a quiet, distraction-free setting. As I am the person I am, I found great joy in the mentioning of Iceland and its financial issues ripple affecting the world. A hefty footnote and index list in this book makes for a great deal of secondary reading--take advantage!

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taylor presents a tour de force, bringing in history, religion, economics, philosophy, psychology, sociology, science, and technology to explain how and why our world is addicted to speed. He makes his case and paints a disturbing picture of what will likely happen if we don't slow things down. It's not an easy read at points -- and he is somewhat self-congratulatory -- but it's well worth the effort.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drawing from developments in such diverse religion, philosophy, art, education, technology, fashion, and finance, Taylor offers a thoughtful, richly layered examination of the negative impact our obsession with speed has upon culture and society.

[Marc · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is so elusive. Yet it surrounds us. Is a part of us. Speed. The most peculiar and interesting of subjects, as presented by Mark Taylor. We learn of its murky origins, in the Protestant Reformation and follow it as it grows and grows through the centuries into the manifestation of global warming and global financial markets. Taylor explores its history and most certainly its effects but little else. He shows how our world is shaped by speed and how it continues, screaming, head out the window, enjoying the ride and not caring about the destination. The research is solid and the writing familiar, and of course, the ominous sense of foreboding builds with each chapter. There is no solace here, there is no hope. With Taylor's speed there is no good only doom that is inevitable. Taylor explains and takes us so far and then leaves, allowing us to ponder perhaps, not what we already knew, but what we already feel. We are left with an explanation, albeit a good one but little else. We shrug our shoulders and race onward, faster and faster, waiting for the world to crash down on our shoulders.

[Mallorie]

Lots of thoughts on this one. I’m glad I read it but it was not at all what I expected it would be going into it. That was ok—so many things to think about from perspectives I had not considered before. A very detailed, historic, scientific account of the problem. But I was left wanting some practical instructions on what I could do to make it better in my own life. That’s not what he’s writing to accomplish though so I will have to figure out those answers on my own.

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In an age of the accelerating flywheel of Amazons, HFT, surveillance capitalism, etc. this book was a refreshing read.

[Wayne's · Rating 3 out of 5]

fairly predictable.

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just didn't make me want to read it. The 70 pages I read had some interesting ideas, but mostly it seemed like random sentences or random paragraphs connected only by their being printed on pages that were bound together. Maybe if I had more time, and read the whole thing, I would see the big picture. Who knows? If I can get through 70 pages with no perception of a big picture, that tells me that this work was not yet ready for publication.

[Hilola · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deep, thoughtful piece that makes the reader ponder about life back then and now...refreshingly honest and frank, sprinkled with little facts throughout. Thanks to the author for an ARC, would definitely recommend for old souls and philosophical thinkers out there.