Spatial and Temporal Expansion of the Object as a Challenge for Reorganizing Work

In theories of postmodernity, the notion of compression of time and space has become widely accepted. As Harvey (1989: 240) put it, “space appears to shrink to a ‘global village’ of telecommunications” and “time horizons shorten to the point where the present is all there is.” In his account of changes in work organizations, Sennett (1999: 22–27) continues the compression argument and declares that today’s work settings operate on the principle of “no long term.” According to Sennett (1999: 25), this “short-term capitalism” corrodes the character: “‘No long term’ means keep moving, don’t commit yourself, and don’t sacrifice.”