The distant present (faraway, so close!)

Abstract

Datta's concept of ‘distant time’ offers a multi-faceted lens to interrogate the construction of urban futures. In this commentary, I critically examine how the concept is framed and mobilized, drawing attention to issues of temporal extensiveness, topological temporality, and embodied time. While recognizing the analytic power of distant time to expose techniques of temporal distancing and document deep connections between social, ecological, and technological times, I suggest that open questions remain regarding the parameters of temporal justice and possibilities for collective political action beyond temporal arbitrage.