In "Saving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond the Clock," Oakland-based artist, writer, and educator Jenny Odell examines our complex relationship with time, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Known for her New York Times bestseller "How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy," Odell prompts readers to reflect on their understanding of time.
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Odell emphasizes the need for doubt and questioning regarding societal perceptions of time. She draws on her background as a visual artist, noting how her work often involves close observation of overlooked aspects of daily life, such as satellite images of swimming pools and shopping centers. She highlights how familiar scenes can feel disorienting when viewed from a different perspective.
Throughout the book, Odell explores the concept of labor and critiques the saying “time is money.” She was struck by the violent history behind the commodification of time, noting that early spreadsheets documenting labor were created on plantations. She discusses how this historical context has shaped modern attitudes toward time as a resource that can be monetized.
Odell seeks to balance individual agency with structural limitations, acknowledging that various factors—employment, family responsibilities, health, and location—significantly influence one’s experience of time. For example, she recounts the story of a mother who attempts to create more time for herself by organizing a communal cooking group with fellow mothers.
She also looks at how incarceration alters perceptions of time, stressing the need for collective questioning of societal norms. Odell refers to a project called Facing Life, which interviews individuals serving life sentences, allowing their stories to foster empathy and understanding about their experiences.
Incorporating personal vignettes, Odell reflects on her life in the Bay Area, inspired by a mountain hike with a friend and experiences playing the video game "Breath of the Wild." Her narrative structure mirrors a journey, looping back to previous insights while revealing new perspectives.
Odell discusses the allure of video games, explaining that while they provide control over time and space, they also introduce unpredictable elements that mimic real life. She highlights the significance of timing in nature, using the example of the Douglas Iris flower, which has a limited blooming period, to illustrate how temporal constraints contribute to the beauty and meaning of experiences.
Eva Recinos, an arts and culture journalist based in Los Angeles, covers topics related to creativity and the arts. Her works have appeared in various publications, including the Los Angeles Times and the Guardian.