The speed of byte, speed of light: who moved my free time?

Abstract

The end of the 20th century brought new forms of communication, increasingly mediated by technology. Smartphones, tablets, wireless network, and a variety of apps became part of our daily lives. We send messages, photos, videos and expect almost instant replies. In 2020, this change has become evident throughout the Covid-19 outbreak when we try to find new solutions for work, leisure, and education. The use of communication apps has become a protagonist to perform tasks. We are available 24 hours per day. We need to send replies in the "second of the byte". Where is my free time? This paper attempts to investigate a possible change in the time measurement ruler. Looking at the issues involved in working from home during the coronavirus pandemic, we look for evidence that demonstrates that this new ruler measures time by the amount of information that circulates and by the agencies that participate in this circulation.