"Speed and Politics" is an insightful post-modern examination into what I call 'exponential progress'. In one part, Virilio suggests that since society is increasingly less patient (mostly as a result of technology), people in general are less willing to spend the time to read or investigate their oppressive situations (probably because they were overly busy shopping and thinking about the next best and greatest thing to own) and, as such, require a quick dose of knowledge. To do this, the philosopher/politician/revolutionary must boil down the essence of an idea and serve it before the attention of the people diminishes into thoughtless, emotion-driven consumption once again.
The book is short. However, each sentence has the brilliance of two pages. Read slow.