Final answer:
Armah is likely unconcerned with time and speed because building a better society is not a quick process but rather a profound transformation that requires a shift in values, agreement on sustainable practices, and commitment across generations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Armah likely views the task of envisioning and building a better society as something that transcends conventional notions of time and speed because of the complex and long-term nature of societal change.
Envisioning a better society is not just about incremental improvements; it's about a fundamental rethinking of societal structures, values, and goals.
This type of deep transformation requires careful reflection, widespread agreement, and the change of long-ingrained habits, which inherently takes time and cannot be rushed.
It involves challenging questions about sustainability, human nature, technological compatibility with planetary limits, and the political polarization that hinders the creation of a consensus on a long-term plan.
The focus on speed and immediate results is often associated with the existing economic models that prioritize short-term gains over sustainable development.
The excerpts suggest that the formulation of a master plan for sustainable living is hindered by several barriers: political and economic interests, human nature's inclination for immediate gratification, technological dependencies, and the lack of precedents for such a mode of living.
Moreover, Armah might argue that achieving a sustainable society is an ongoing process that necessitates a cultural shift towards long-term thinking and requires intergenerational commitment.