Hartmut Rosa.

Hartmut Rosa is a contemporary German sociologist and political scientist famous for his work on social acceleration, resonance and resilience. 

Social Acceleration 

Rosa argues that modern society is characterised by an ever-increasing pace of change and acceleration of social processes, which leads to feelings of disorientation and a loss of social connectedness.  This acceleration of social processes leads to a feeling of alienation from one's self, others, and the world. He argues that this alienation is rooted in a sense of estrangement from the social and cultural rhythms that have traditionally given life meaning and purpose.

Resonance Theory

Rosa's theory of resonance stipulates that social dynamics are characterised by both synchrony and asynchrony. 

• Synchrony refers to social interactions that are coordinated and in step with one another.  

  • The increased pace of work is an example of synchrony. Workers are expected to complete tasks quickly and efficiently, with little time for reflection or relaxation. The result is a feeling of being constantly "in sync" with the demands of the job.

  • The culture of instant gratification whether it's through fast food, instant messaging, or online shopping is a form of synchrony because it demands that we keep pace with the rapid-fire demands of technology and consumer culture.

• Asynchrony refers to interactions that are out of step or uncoordinated. 

  • The impact of digital communication on social relations. He argues that the asynchronous nature of email, texting, and social media can create a sense of disconnection and isolation. Because we can't see or hear the other person in real-time, it's harder to establish a sense of shared presence and mutual understanding.

  • Slow movements like the slow food movement or the slow cities movement are a response to the accelerating pace of modern life. These movements prioritize reflection, deliberation, and a sense of "slowness" that runs counter to the dominant culture of synchrony. They represent an effort to create more space for asynchrony in our lives.

He argues that the balance between synchrony and asynchrony is crucial for understanding the dynamics of social change.

Resilience 

Rosa's theory of resilience envisages a society able to recover from the negative effects of acceleration by developing new forms of social connections and relationships that foster a sense of belonging and meaning.

How can his theories guide us?

Slowing down: by slowing down and reducing the pace of change in our lives, we can reduce feelings of disorientation and alienation, and increase our sense of connectedness to ourselves, others and the world.

Creating opportunities for resonance: encouraging people to engage in social interactions that are coordinated and in step with one another, we can foster a sense of belonging and connection, and mitigate feelings of alienation.

Building resilience: by creating opportunities for people to develop new forms of social connections and relationships, we can help them recover from the negative effects of acceleration and foster a sense of meaning and purpose in their lives.

Encourage participation in decision-making and actions that shape the society: by engaging citizens in decision-making processes and actions that shape the society, they can be part of the change and feel more connected and invested in their community, which can foster a sense of belonging and meaning.