The shortening of temporal horizons: acceleration in social sciences and humanities in Chilean universities

The acceleration of social life, as theorized by Hartmut Rosa, has profoundly transformed academic work, particularly in the social sciences and humanities. This paper examines how the three dimensions of acceleration—technical acceleration, the acceleration of social change, and the acceleration of the pace of life—shape the experience of scholars in these disciplines. The contraction of temporal horizons, driven by expectations of rapid publication generates an increasing sense of contingency and uncertainty. Drawing on Rosa’s framework, this study explores how scholars internalize acceleration through self-imposed productivity norms and short-term research imperatives, while also analyzing potential forms of resistance. In particular, the concept of resonance offers a lens to understand how academics attempt to reclaim intellectual depth, sustained engagement, and meaningful scholarly interactions despite the pressures of acceleration. By situating social sciences and humanities research within the broader dynamics of temporal compression, this paper critically assesses both the constraints imposed by acceleration and the possibilities of counteracting its alienating effects.