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<p>This study challenges the widespread assumption that the pace of life is accelerating, presenting evidence of a slowdown in the United States and some European countries in the twenty-first century. Study 1 analyses time-use data and reveals decreases in activity variety, location switching, and time fragmentation alongside increases in sleep duration in the United States from 2003 to 2019. Subjective perceptions follow the same trend, as the percentage of Americans feeling always rushed decreased from 31% in 2004 to 22% in 2016. Furthermore, Study 2 shows that, counterintuitively, internet access was associated with a slower pace of life. Finally, Study 3’s cross-national comparisons revealed varied trends, with some developed countries experiencing decreases in perceived work speed, while others saw increases. These findings suggest that technological advancements, rather than uniformly accelerating daily life, may provide individuals with greater time management efficiency. The study extends Hartmut Rosa’s social acceleration framework, highlighting the complex interplay between societal progress and individual time experiences.</p>

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The pace of life is not getting faster

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月6日

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  • Brad Aeon

摘要

This study challenges the widespread assumption that the pace of life is accelerating, presenting evidence of a slowdown in the United States and some European countries in the twenty-first century. Study 1 analyses time-use data and reveals decreases in activity variety, location switching, and time fragmentation alongside increases in sleep duration in the United States from 2003 to 2019. Subjective perceptions follow the same trend, as the percentage of Americans feeling always rushed decreased from 31% in 2004 to 22% in 2016. Furthermore, Study 2 shows that, counterintuitively, internet access was associated with a slower pace of life. Finally, Study 3’s cross-national comparisons revealed varied trends, with some developed countries experiencing decreases in perceived work speed, while others saw increases. These findings suggest that technological advancements, rather than uniformly accelerating daily life, may provide individuals with greater time management efficiency. The study extends Hartmut Rosa’s social acceleration framework, highlighting the complex interplay between societal progress and individual time experiences.