Our conception of time is likely to change when we move from traditional human-to-human communication (HHC) to computer-mediated human communication (CMHC). In the former, space and time were united. In the latter, technology has created...
moreOur conception of time is likely to change when we move from traditional human-to-human communication (HHC) to computer-mediated human communication (CMHC). In the former, space and time were united. In the latter, technology has created mediacy (välillisyys), mediation (välitteisyys) and the communication delay (viive). The faster the communication and the more efficient the technology at our disposal, the less time we seem to have to react and to think about our reactions, replies and answers. The emerging network society will break down the biological or social rhythmicity of the traditional notion of lifecycle, but so far no alternative sequence has managed to replace the old notion. The information and communication technology revolution has compressed time and space into a new 'world oikoumene', strongly oriented towards the future, while past societies were mostly space-bound or time-bound. This is likely to lead to a radically new space-time framework for modern society. Network-based education and learning materials can be analysed through Deleuze's three syntheses of time that coexist. The syntheses are compared to the multidimensional conceptual framework of principles of planning and assessing network-based learning materials, as drafted by Mononen-Aaltonen & Tella (2000). The writer launches the concept of achronos to describe timeless time or time without time represented by the network society. The writer finishes with an argument of media education consisting of things that take time and cautions against not respecting the old saying "Take your time".
Keywords: time; mediacy; mediation; communication delay; achronos; media education; network-based learning (NBL).
