The right-time web: Theorizing the kairologic of algorithmic media

Abstract

Facebook’s goal for their “News Feed is to show everyone the right content at the right time so they don’t miss the stories that are important to them.” In a mediated environment obsessed with real-time–of near instantaneous content production and delivery–the question of what constitutes right-time has curiously been overlooked. In this article, I argue that the notion of right-time presented in the above mission statement is reflective not just of Facebook’s algorithmic workings but also of a new temporal regime produced by an increasingly algorithmic media landscape. The article draws on social theory, media studies, and rhetoric, as well as a variety of empirical materials such as patent documents, media industry documents and public discourse to argue for the existence of an “Eigenzeit” of algorithmic media that hinges on the classic Greek notion of “kairos,” understood as an opportune time, timeliness, or indeed, “right-time.”

Making time in digital societies: Considering the interplay of media, data, and temporalities—An introduction to the special issue

“…By drawing on the concepts of flow and responsibilization, the authors consider how smartphone use becomes a hindrance in individual time management and often leaves users to make sense of contradictory (temporal) experiences regarding their smartphone use. In line with the theme of the special issue, the authors argue that "the concept of temporal ambivalence captures essential aspects of everyday experiences with the smartphone, and thereby of time management in digital society" (Ytre-Arne et al, 2020) In sum, the contributions to the special issue highlight the continuities and disruptions emerging in the nexus of time and media. They point to the challenges of acting in the present, acceding to the future, and mobilizing the past in increasingly datafied societies.…”

“…By drawing on the concepts of flow and responsibilization, the authors consider how smartphone use becomes a hindrance in individual time management and often leaves users to make sense of contradictory (temporal) experiences regarding their smartphone use. In line with the theme of the special issue, the authors argue that “the concept of temporal ambivalence captures essential aspects of everyday experiences with the smartphone, and thereby of time management in digital society” (Ytre-Arne et al, 2020)…”

“…Rather than showing users what is happening right in this moment, their intent is to show users what they anticipate the users would want to see in this moment: “Right-time does not eliminate real-time but incorporates it as function of relevance. What is right might include newness, but the now is never enough to make it right” (Bucher, 2020).…”

A Right Time to Give: Beyond Saving Time in Automated Conditional Donations

“…In media studies, Bucher proposes that by sorting, filtering, ranking, curating content and aggregating data on people's interactions, algorithms personalise a "right-time" for a user to experience media [12]. She compares this right-time to 'kairos', a Greek concept that refers to an opportune time to say or do something or an unpredictable moment that presents an occasion that must be seized.…”

“…Importantly, we account for the way Aboriginal authors relate right time to being aware of ecological and moral, as well as personal and social, cues by observing the circumstances involved [10]. This differs from Bucher's understanding of right-time as a "personalized moment instigated by aggregated individuals, and fuelled by the business models of platforms" [12]. We propose feelings and reasonings that relate to right times to give go beyond optimizing time use and are experienced through the intersections and juxtapositions of diverse temporal patterns and orders.…”