Time

Mehr zum Buch

Helga Nowotny explores the forms and meaning of time in contemporary life with a fresh perspective that reveals connections between modern technology and ancient myth. This work significantly enhances our understanding of time, particularly in relation to modernity. The author highlights how industrialism relied on a linear, abstract conception of time, which has since evolved into flexible specialization and just-in-time production systems, influenced by new information and communication technologies. This transformation raises questions about the implications for temporal regimes and the diverse options available in a postmodern world. Nowotny provides a keen analysis of the temporal effects of modern communication and the impact of satellite technologies on worldwide simultaneous experiences. She examines how continuous technological innovation reshapes our understanding of time. Amidst this complex landscape, the quest for a "time of one’s own" reflects a desire for experiences that challenge established institutional patterns. This insightful study, which has become a classic in Germany, will engage students and professionals in social theory, sociology, politics, and anthropology.