One of the most interesting phenomena studied by geographers is how SPEED affects human and environmental relationships. In the past 30 years, technological advancements have allowed information, resources, and people to travel greater distances faster. This has had an interesting impact on practically every element of our lives.
Illustrating this geographic quirk is a recent study of pedestrians in 32 world cities, claiming that Singapore officially has the world’s fastest walkers!
(Read the article.)
Should the world slow down? According to the CNN poll, 73% of voters currently think it should. What do you think?
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Story reminds me of a quote from UCLA’s great basketball coach, John Wooden, who told his players: “Be quick – but don’t hurry.”
Ironically that as the global society emerges around us – connecting us like neve before – we respond by behaving like hamsters on treadmills. No doubt some of this fear of being “left behind,” some is uninhibited frenzy of seizing new wondrous opportunities.
the telltale signs of the effect of this frenetic scurrying, of course, are our phsyiological and neurological states: seratonin and dopamine levels down & antidepressant use up in most western industrial countries.
As Ben Franklin said, we must “never confuse motion with action.” Or, I would augment, speed with efficacy or material acquisition with satisfaction.
what we should do, in my opinion, is become more “trans-culturally connected.” It’s entirely possible to become more aware, know more, enrich oneself better, and make better decisions – all while slowing down. If the world is indeed at our doorstep, then why the pell-mell rush – slow down and pick and choose. That’s the only way to feel better, have more, and be more in a world that’s swirling ever faster.
Stephen Banick
The Gulliver Project