In the past, history unfolded at a leisurely pace, allowing people to easily remember significant events that became the foundation for thrilling personal narratives. These occurrences seemed rare and formed a shared understanding of adventure in life. However, in contemporary society, the rapid pace of history means that even major events are quickly overshadowed and often forgotten, losing their novelty almost overnight.

This shift means that history is no longer just a background to daily life; it has transformed into an active adventure that plays out against the monotony of routine existence. In Kundera's view, modern life is characterized by the fleeting nature of memorable events, which can sparkle briefly but vanish quickly, impacting our perception of both history and personal experience.