The concept of non-binary temporality refers to the idea that time is not linear, but rather exists simultaneously in multiple dimensions, including past, present, and future. This challenges traditional ideas about selfhood, which are often based on a linear understanding of time where events occur one after another and have clear beginnings and endings. Non-binary temporality also calls into question the coherence of stories and narratives that rely on sequential plotlines and timelines.
It disrupts assumptions about identity continuity, suggesting that people can exist across different temporal realities and identities can change and shift over time. In this article, I will explore these implications for selfhood, storytelling, and identity construction.
Let's consider how non-binary temporality challenges our sense of selfhood. The traditional model of selfhood assumes that each person has a fixed identity that emerges from their experiences and is shaped by their life story. This implies that we are who we are because of what has happened to us up until now, and that our future selves will be determined by the choices we make today.
Non-binary temporality suggests that the past, present, and future coexist simultaneously, and therefore cannot be reduced to simple cause-and-effect relationships. Instead, the interplay between different temporal realities creates new possibilities and potentialities, allowing us to imagine alternative versions of ourselves and the world around us.
This challenge to selfhood extends to questions of identity as well. If identity is constructed through time and experience, then non-binary temporality suggests that there is no single, stable identity, but rather an ever-evolving process of becoming. We may feel like we know who we are at any given moment, but this understanding is always subject to change based on new experiences or perspectives. As writer Daisy Lafarge puts it: "My identity is a constantly unfolding narrative that I am continually editing."
Non-binary temporality also challenges the coherence of stories and narratives. Traditional narratives rely on clear beginnings and endings, where characters undergo changes and grow over time. But in a non-linear universe, these neat arcs become more complicated, with characters existing in multiple temporal realities simultaneously. Characters can interact with themselves across different time periods, creating new possibilities for conflict and resolution. In some cases, characters may even exist outside of traditional linear timelines entirely, defying easy explanation or interpretation. This can lead to more complex and nuanced storytelling, as writers and filmmakers explore new ways to represent time and its effects on characters' lives.
Non-binary temporality calls into question assumptions about identity continuity. Traditionally, we think of our identities as fixed and unchanging, tied to specific events or moments in our lives. Non-binary temporality suggests that our identities can shift and morph over time, influenced by our interactions with others and the broader world around us.
A person might identify as straight until they have a romantic experience with someone of the same gender, at which point their sexual orientation shifts. Or an individual might move from feeling securely attached to a partner to experiencing feelings of anxiety and insecurity due to external factors like work stress or financial difficulties. These examples illustrate how non-binary temporality complicates our understanding of who we are and how we relate to others.
Non-binary temporality challenges traditional notions of selfhood, storytelling, and identity construction. It encourages us to see ourselves and the world around us as dynamic and ever-evolving, rather than static and deterministic. By embracing this idea, we can open up new possibilities for personal growth, creative expression, and social change. As author Rebecca Solnit puts it: "Time is not a line but a dimension, not distance but duration." By reimagining time as a multidimensional space, we can create new narratives and experiences that challenge traditional assumptions about what it means to be human.
In what ways does non-binary temporality challenge linear assumptions of selfhood, narrative coherence, and identity continuity?
Non-binary temporality challenges linear assumptions of selfhood by blurring the boundaries between past, present, and future. It suggests that time is not a one-way street but rather a multidimensional space with different layers and dimensions. This challenges the idea that we are defined by our past experiences and current identities, as it allows for multiple possibilities and variations in how we understand ourselves over time.