Queer temporality has been explored extensively in literature, art, philosophy, and sociology as a way to challenge the oppressive structures of heteronormativity, colonialism, and patriarchy that govern the social order. This paper will examine how queer temporality can also provide an alternative to the capitalist notion of time as a commodified resource that is measured and exploited for economic gain. By resisting this moralization of time, queer temporalities offer an ethics of rest and transformation that centers pleasure, playfulness, and non-linear trajectories.
Capitalism relies heavily on the idea that time is a finite resource that should be maximized through productivity and efficiency. This ideology places pressure on individuals to constantly produce and consume goods and services to maintain their status within society.
Such a view ignores the value of leisure, idleness, and self-reflection in creating meaningful lives. Queer theory provides a framework to understand the intersections between sexuality and time, arguing that dominant narratives of temporality are shaped by hegemonic power structures. In contrast to these linear and productivist understandings, queer temporalities disrupt normative conceptions of time by refusing to be bound by the demands of capitalism or traditional gender roles.
We must examine the ways in which capitalism shapes our understanding of time. Capitalism is predicated on the idea that time is a scarce resource that must be allocated efficiently. The neoliberal ideal of 'productive' citizens requires us to prioritize work above all else, leading to burnout, exhaustion, and stress. The relentless drive towards optimization and efficiency means that people often do not have enough time for rest or reflection, leading to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and addiction. The focus on productivity also privileges certain kinds of activities over others, placing more value on work than on personal relationships, creativity, or pleasure. These values are reflected in the way we structure our days, weeks, months, and years, with little room left for spontaneity or play.
Queer temporality offers an alternative perspective, rejecting the need to maximize output and instead promoting the importance of pleasure and embodiment.
Kink communities valorize slowness, sensuality, and non-linear trajectories as a challenge to heteronormative timelines. BDSM practitioners may engage in long, drawn-out scenes rather than rushing through them quickly. They may also prioritize exploration and experimentation, encouraging people to try out different roles and identities outside of conventional binaries. This approach challenges the notion that time should always be spent productively and allows individuals to explore their desires without fear of judgment or shame.
Queer temporalities can resist the moralization of time by redefining what constitutes a 'successful' life. Rather than being defined solely by professional achievements, success is measured by one's ability to create meaningful connections with friends, family members, and lovers. Queer people have historically been excluded from mainstream society, forcing them to create alternative modes of connection and intimacy. This has led to the development of unique forms of community building, such as polyamory, open relationships, and alternative kinship networks. By focusing on these social ties, queer people emphasize the importance of pleasure, mutual support, and care over the accumulation of material wealth.
Queer temporality provides a powerful framework for resisting capitalist ideologies around time. Instead of viewing time as a finite resource that must be maximized, it emphasizes the importance of rest, play, embodiment, and non-linear trajectories. By centering leisure, pleasure, and embodied experiences, we can disrupt hegemonic power structures and create more fulfilling lives. This ethics of transformation requires us to challenge our own assumptions about how we use time and prioritize self-care and connection above all else. By embracing queer temporality, we can reclaim our agency in the face of oppressive systems and create new possibilities for living well.
How might queer temporality resist the capitalist moralization of time as productivity, offering instead an ethics of rest and transformation?
Queer temporality is defined as a critical engagement with dominant temporalities that privileges unconventional modes of being, doing, and relating within the framework of non-normative sexuality and gender identities (Mbembe, 2013). The concept offers an alternative perspective on time as it resists the capitalist morals that have been associated with time, such as productivity.