The Impact of Compressing Time and Distance

Imagine a world where messages took months to traverse oceans, and military strategies were planned to the rhythm of marching soldiers' footsteps. Contrast this with today's reality, where digital communication occurs in the blink of an eye, and military actions are executed in milliseconds. This stark contrast, eloquently analyzed by philosopher and urbanist Professor Paul Virilio, underscores a fundamental shift in our perception of time and distance, wrought by technological advancements. In ancient times, commanders of Roman armies estimated the timing of battles based on their soldiers' ability to march 20 miles per day on purpose-built stone roads. Fast forward to the present, where a ballistic missile can traverse the globe in minutes. This acceleration demands that nations and military commanders prepare for critical decision-making in mere seconds. Such a shift from deliberation over days to instantaneous action reflects a profound transformation in the art and sci