In Queer Temporalities, Lauren Berlant argues that queerness is an orientation towards temporality that challenges traditional understandings of linear time. She posits that queerness can be seen as a form of radical imagination that creates new possibilities for living and experiencing time. This concept has implications for how we think about creating meaningful lives and developing narratives. Queer temporalities suggest that there are multiple ways to experience and construct time, and this multiplicity can lead to more expansive and nuanced understandings of what it means to live a fulfilling life.
One way that queer temporalities challenge traditional concepts of linear time is through their emphasis on non-linear forms of memory. In traditional Western culture, memory is often understood as something that follows a straight line from past to present to future. But queer temporalities recognize that memory does not always work like this. Memories may surface suddenly or recede into the background, appearing and disappearing in unexpected ways. They may also overlap and blend together in unpredictable combinations. These non-linear forms of memory can create new connections between different parts of one's life, allowing people to see themselves and their experiences in fresh ways.
Another aspect of queer temporalities is their focus on the "stretched moment." According to Berlant, moments can stretch out over long periods of time, becoming sites where emotions, desires, and memories converge. These moments might be intense sexual encounters, intimate conversations, or simply moments of solitude. By focusing on these stretches of time, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our relationships with others. We can learn to appreciate the complexity of our feelings and experiences, rather than reducing them to simple categories. This approach to temporality also has implications for how we develop our own narrative arcs. Instead of seeing our lives as moving towards a predetermined endpoint, we can embrace the possibility of constant change and transformation.
Queerness also suggests that there are multiple timelines operating simultaneously.
One person might experience two simultaneous timelines - one focused on family obligations and another focused on career goals. Or someone might feel like they are living in three separate timelines, each representing a different aspect of their identity (e.g., gender, race, class). This multiplicity of timelines creates opportunities for exploration and self-discovery. It allows us to recognize that our identities are constantly shifting and evolving, and that we have more agency over our lives than we may think.
Queer temporalities emphasize the importance of pleasure and joy in creating meaningful lives. In many traditional conceptions of time, time is something to be endured or rushed through in order to reach some future goal. But this approach ignores the potential pleasures of the present moment. Queerness challenges us to see everyday activities - such as cooking dinner, taking a walk, or having sex - as potential sites of joy and fulfillment. By focusing on these small moments, we can create a sense of richness and depth in our lives that goes beyond simply ticking off items on a to-do list.
Queer Temporalities offers a valuable insight into how we can rethink our relationship with time and create more meaningful lives. By embracing non-linear forms of memory, the stretched moment, and multiple timelines, we can cultivate a deeper understanding of ourselves and our relationships. We can also learn to appreciate the pleasures of the present moment and find new ways to connect with others.
Berlant's work suggests that there are no fixed paths or predetermined outcomes - only possibilities waiting to be discovered and explored.
What insights do queer temporalities provide about meaningful life creation and narrative development?
Queer temporalities refer to non-linear and unconventional time perception and experience that challenges the dominant temporality of Western society which is linear, monolithic, and hierarchical (Butler, 2016). These alternative temporalities are often associated with various marginalized identities such as LGBTQ+ people who have experienced social exclusion, oppression, and erasure throughout history (Sedgwick, 2003).