In this article we argue that rush hours, hot spots and experiences of time squeeze are temporal
manifestations of relations between practices. In describing these relations we explore the relevance
of a range of metaphors, including those of organic, self-sustaining networks. In contrast to timeuse
studies, which suggest that social rhythms follow from interaction between individuals, we
argue that temporal rhythms are usefully characterised as outcomes of processes in which practices
figure as “living” rather than as stable entities. Although illustrated with reference to empirical
studies of daily life in Finland, this is in essence a speculative paper designed to provoke debate
about how webs of social practice constitute the temporalities of contemporary society.