In contemporary society, racing against time has almost become the norm. In reality, phenomena like “reading a book in three minutes” and “watching a movie in five minutes” are not uncommon. Have you also chosen to take a taxi to save every minute and second, rather than taking a leisurely walk to your destination? Do you often rush to finish a meal within five minutes, never spending more time due to slowly chewing and savoring? In life, unable to tolerate pointless small talk and trivia, have these series of actions hit your “thirst for time“? If the description above coincides with you, then it goes without saying that you have become a spokesperson for “double-speed life“.
The term “double-speed life” originated from the popular habit of watching videos at faster speeds, used to describe speeding through TV series. However, as this phenomenon has evolved, it now aptly describes the existential state of urban youth. Almost swept up by a hectic pace, facing immense pressure, they have no choice but to engage in an accelerated mode that prioritize time efficiency above all else. As Milan Kundera said in his novel “Slowness“: “Speed is a form of ecstasy; it is one of the gifts that the technical revolution has offered to man.” The torrent of the times has triggered our extreme longing for time, urging us to swiftly showcase our talents, to achieve the so-called “standard equipment” and even a “high-end life” at the fastest pace. We obsess over filling our lives to the brim, fearing we’ll fall behind, yet we neglect to truly see and nurture ourselves, without careful thought as to whether the goals we chase are genuinely what we need.
So what exactly drives us to embark on this “double-speed life“? Faced with fierce social competition, modern workers must “double-speed” invest in their human capital to stand out in the arena. In a life of rapid change and high-speed mobility, our work pace has also shifted to fast mode, using speed as the key criterion for judging wisdom and ability.
With the adoration of role models and idols, more and more young people advocate for “double-speed life“. In modern society, we often witness the power of exemplars, as people regard the idols in their professional fields as the embodiment of knowledge, wealth, and success. These success stories convince the younger generation that they are unlikely to reach the far shores of their dreams if they continue to work in an orderly, rule-abiding manner. Conversely, only by compressing leisure time and continuously enriching oneself is there a chance to achieve their dreams. This form of adoration leads young people to continuously apply pressure on themselves, learn, and progress, thus becoming an important motivation for embracing a “double-speed life“.
Today, “double-speed life” is especially manifested in “double-speed consumption“. The evolution of the consumer society has made people focus more on immediate gratification and the realization of happiness, overlooking risks and uncertainties. Consumption has become a source of joy, and to maintain this sensation, people choose to consume in a “double-speed mode”, creating a new cycle of life.
In the pursuit of a fast-paced lifestyle, we should deeply ponder a critical question: As we watch videos at 2x speed, is our life slipping away at 4x speed? As we hustle to keep up with time, the meaning of life may be quietly drifting away. The mechanical repetition of our work rhythm can lead to frequent distractions, a lack of patience with life, and a neglect of reflection and meditation. Escaping this time anxiety and finding reconciliation with a high-speed life has become a challenge that modern people must face together.
On a personal level, fostering and enhancing a sense of personal security is crucial. The key lies in finding and adhering to a life rhythm that suits oneself. The so-called “double-speed life” phenomenon reflects our strong pursuit of success and our yearning for potential exploration and self-fulfillment. Moreover, it reveals a deeper utilitarian mindset – one that overly emphasizes the end result in the pursuit of goals, and neglects the importance of enjoying and valuing the process.
In the context of global economic globalization and the internet era, the entire world is in a state of unpredictable change, and this uncertainty undoubtedly adds pressure and insecurity to everyone’s life. In order to enhance individual security, the best strategy is to adjust one’s pace, set clear goals, and while striving hard, learn to effectively utilize external resources to compensate for personal shortcomings.
At the social level, it is crucial to focus on the phenomenon of idol worship among the youth of the internet age. The development of new media has brought about unprecedented information dissemination capabilities, making it easy for various idols to enter the sight of young people. In such an environment, the youth often waver and even lack the proper aesthetic direction and value judgment when choosing idols. Therefore, the future society needs to start from multiple aspects to provide correct value guidance to the youth.
A person’s life should not solely pursue results but should also value the moments within the process. Indeed, some aspects of life can be “doubled” to save time, but other aspects cannot and should not attempt to “double-speed”; they must follow their internal laws of development. Learning to pause and reflect amidst busyness and walking a life path that combines fast and slow, tight and loose, might just be the most ideal rhythm of life.
