Revisiting Time: A Critique of Modernity's Linear Progress

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Time, as a social construct, is deeply interwoven with the narrative of modernity, which has defined progress as a linear, forward-moving force. We are conditioned to see time as an unbroken progression—from the past to the present, with the future awaiting just ahead. In this framework, the past is something to be left behind, and the present is seen as a fleeting moment on a one-way path toward the future. However, this view of time is not a universal truth; it is a construct, an illusion shaped by modernity's promise that we must always move forward. By stepping back and reconsidering time through a broader lens—particularly that of the cosmos—we begin to see that this linear understanding is not only incomplete but dangerously restrictive. Time, both as a scientific concept and a social construct, requires rethinking: a new framework that embraces the cyclical, interconnected nature of existence and the lessons of the past as we navigate the future.

Modernity, as an ideology, emerged with a distinct narrative that embedded linearity into the fabric of social, political, and intellectual life. It framed time not just as a sequence of moments, but as a force pushing humanity toward perpetual advancement, stripping away alternative, non-Western conceptions of time that might allow for cyclical or interconnected understandings.

In astrophysics, the concept of a light-year—a unit of distance measuring how far light travels in one year—also brings time into question. For example, when we look at the sun, we are not seeing it as it is in the present moment, but rather as it was eight minutes ago, the time it takes for light to travel from the sun to Earth. This creates a philosophical dilemma: if light from distant stars takes years or even millennia to reach us, how can we truly claim to experience the present? In essence, we are always perceiving the past. Our sense of the “present” is always retroactive, shaped by what has already occurred.

Yet, society persists in viewing time as linear and forward-moving, ignoring its cyclical and recursive nature. Modernity has ingrained in us the belief that we must always progress, that the past should be left behind. However, real progress does not necessitate the rejection of history. Progress can be viewed as the evolution of knowledge, where each new insight builds upon the lessons of the past. This approach to progress respects the complexities of history and acknowledges the past as an essential part of ongoing development.

The impulse to “leave the past behind” is misleading. Much like the light from the sun, which continues to inform our experience of the present, we cannot escape the past. If we embrace this cosmic analogy, we begin to see time as more fluid. Just as the stars and their histories are always with us, so too must we understand that our past shapes our present. Rejecting this reality means cutting ourselves off from the lessons that history provides. The wreckage of history, as Walter Benjamin powerfully expressed, cannot simply be ignored—it must be acknowledged and learned from. To focus only on the forward march of time is to remain blind to the depth and complexity of our social and political fabric.

Additionally, the universe operates within a four-dimensional manifold known as spacetime, where time is as real and tangible as space. Unlike the rigid, one-way flow of time that we experience in society, physics tells us that time is not restricted to a single direction. The curvature of spacetime itself suggests that time extends infinitely in all directions. This fundamental concept challenges the entrenched view of time as linear. If time is not confined to a straight line, why do we insist on measuring our lives and societies in the same manner?

In science, time itself is no longer an objective, immutable backdrop against which events unfold. In the realm of physics, it is a fabric, a pliable and malleable entity whose course can be bent and warped by gravity and mass. This physical understanding of time resonates with the philosophical notion that time is not linear—it is influenced by context, shaped by forces we might not fully understand. The common denominator between physics and cultural conceptions of time is the realization that time, in its truest form, is neither fixed nor linear. It stretches, contracts, and cycles back upon itself, challenging the one-dimensionality that modernity imposes.

This fluidity of time can be further illustrated by the immense power of supermassive black holes. These colossal entities possess such intense gravitational pull that not even light can escape. The mass of a supermassive black hole bends spacetime itself, warping the very fabric of time and space around it. In much the same way, when we insist on viewing time in a strictly linear, unidirectional manner, we risk falling into a similar gravitational pull—a cycle where the past continues to consume us, hindering our ability to act or change because we are too fixated on the future.

If we limit our understanding of time to a one-way narrative, we risk being caught in this inescapable force, where unresolved histories and injustices accumulate, dragging us into a vortex. Without actively engaging with these past wreckages, we lose the ability to learn from mistakes, break free from destructive cycles, and act with agency in the present. Denying the fluid, non-linear nature of time ensures that history repeats itself endlessly, and the promise of progress—that we can move forward—remains unfulfilled. Left unchecked, linear progress risks pulling us into the supermassive black hole of historical oblivion.

This non-linearity, evidenced by the warping of spacetime, could offer a new lens through which we understand political change and societal progress. Just as gravitational forces bend time and space, perhaps our political systems, too, could benefit from flexibility—allowing for actions that reverberate in multiple directions, rather than following a single, predictable trajectory.

Indigenous cultures, for example, often perceive time not as a line but as a circle—interwoven with the rhythms of nature and ancestral knowledge. These conceptions of time contrast sharply with the linear model imposed by modernity, which prioritizes progress and accumulation. Recognizing these alternative temporal perspectives could offer valuable insights for creating a more holistic and sustainable future.

In reimagining time as cyclical, we invite a fundamental shift in how we approach systemic issues. For example, when confronting climate change, viewing the Earth as a living, breathing system with cycles of birth, decay, and regeneration encourages us to think not in terms of irreversible damage, but as part of a larger ecological cycle where human intervention can restore balance rather than perpetuate degradation. Similarly, addressing inequality is not just a matter of correcting past wrongs but of re-engaging with the cyclical nature of social progress, where every action and decision ripples across time, shaping future generations.

In practice, this reconceptualization of time could manifest in how we approach long-term goals, both individually and collectively. For instance, education systems could emphasize the interconnectedness of past, present, and future actions through project-based learning and a focus on historical context. In politics, policies could integrate long-term ecological stewardship and social justice initiatives, recognizing that immediate actions have rippling effects across time. Culturally, we might celebrate rituals that honour cycles of renewal, like seasonal festivals or commemorations of historical events that encourage reflection and reconciliation.

Progress, in this sense, is not about abandoning history but about engaging with it in a way that acknowledges its complexities. Rather than pushing forward blindly, true progress requires a dynamic relationship with the past, one that allows for critical reflection, adaptation, and learning. It is not a straight line, but a feedback loop where each action builds upon and challenges what came before, allowing us to make thoughtful strides toward a more inclusive future.

Time, in the sense we experience it as individuals and societies, is not a simple, linear progression. It is more like the light from distant stars—always behind us, always informing our present. The universe itself, with its infinite dimensions and bends in spacetime, teaches us that time is not fixed, not confined to an unrelenting march forward. Just as light-years compel us to acknowledge the past, so too should we reconsider our societal conception of time. We must engage with history, not as a collection of wreckages, but as a series of lessons that shape our present and future. If we refuse to do so, we risk being sucked into a supermassive black hole of oblivion, trapped by the very narrative we have constructed about time. In acknowledging the cyclical, infinite nature of time, we can break free from the limitations of modernity’s promise and begin learning from the past in a way that empowers us to act decisively in the present.