Slow movement (culture)

The slow movement is a cultural initiative that advocates for a reduction in the pace of modern life, encouraging individuals to embrace a more thoughtful and deliberate approach to their daily activities.

It was an offshoot of the slow food movement, which began in 1986 as a protest led by Carlo Petrini against the opening of a McDonald's restaurant in Rome's Piazza di Spagna.

The key ideas of the slow movement include prioritizing quality over quantity, savoring the present moment, and fostering connections with people and the environment. It encourages a more intentional approach to daily activities, promoting sustainable practices and mindfulness. The movement spans various domains such as food, cities, education, fashion, and more, advocating for a balanced and holistic lifestyle that resists the fast-paced demands of modern society.

Initiatives linked to this movement include the Cittaslow organization to promote slowness in cities, most notably Rome, Naples, and Paris. Car-free days and banning Vespas to reduce urban noise are a few initiatives.

Origins

The slow movement is a cultural movement which advocates slowing down the pace of human life. It emerged from the slow food movement, and Carlo Petrini's 1986 protest against the opening of a McDonald's restaurant in the Piazza di Spagna, Rome.

Geir Berthelsen's The World Institute of Slowness presented a vision in 1999 for a "slow planet".

In Carl Honoré's 2004 book, In Praise of Slow, he describes the slow movement as: