Slowing Down in Fast-Paced Services: Challenges in Academia and the Restaurant Industry

This presentation examines the tensions faced by workers in academia and the restaurant industry as they navigate the pressures of the productivist mindset prevalent in the Anthropocene and Capitalocene eras. The Slow movement promotes reducing the pace of life, with Slow Food advocating sustainable and equitable practices as an alternative to fast food, and Slow Science prioritizing depth and mindfulness over relentless productivity.

Based on field research in academia and the restaurant industry, this presentation identifies three key challenges to adopting a slower ethos in fast-paced environments.

The first challenge is ambivalence. Despite being stressed by excessive workloads and work-life balance conflicts, those I label as “overworked individuals” deeply enjoy their work. Restaurant workers take pride in pleasing customers, thrive on adrenaline, and embrace a festive lifestyle. Similarly, academics value their freedom, inspiring students, and contributing to knowledge. Internal support and respect from colleagues often buffer the negative effects of high-pressure performance.

The second challenge stems from ethical dispositions. Workers feel compelled to demonstrate resilience, driven by a moral order that values overcoming adversity. This creates a “double moral penalty”, where struggling to meet demands leads to being perceived as weak. Specific professional ethos in both sectors further constrain alternative approaches to work: academia emphasizes both performance and collegiality, generating ethical tensions, while Slow ideals in the restaurant industry remain confined to niche contexts.

The third challenge relates to strategy implementation. The Slow movement emphasizes individual actions rather than structural changes. However, personal strategies often fail to offer sustainable solutions, instead reflecting the intrusion of work into all aspects of life. Structural reforms, meanwhile, remain difficult to identify and negotiate.

This presentation sheds light on these challenges and the broader difficulties workers face in advocating for slower rhythms in environments dominated by speed and performance.