The convenience of modern life has transformed everyday errands, but this digital shift has come at a cost, eroding social interactions and community spaces. While banking, grocery shopping, and prescription refills can now be done with a few taps on a screen, these changes have removed the incidental social encounters that once punctuated our days.
This shift means fewer opportunities for spontaneous conversations with clerks, neighbors, or strangers encountered during outings. Dr. Gillian Sandstrom, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Sussex and author of Once Upon a Stranger, notes that a variety of social encounters, from a nod to a stranger to a chat with a friend, contribute to greater happiness. However, many of these small interactions have migrated online, often becoming one-way, parasocial relationships with influencers or content creators who view audiences as metrics rather than individuals.
Furthermore, the physical spaces where errands were once conducted served as informal community hubs, or "third places." Coffee shops, local stores, and even hardware stores provided opportunities for connection. As patronage declines due to online ordering and delivery services, these businesses struggle to survive, leading to empty storefronts and a less vibrant public sphere. Even the businesses that remain are increasingly catering to a virtual customer base, with digital kiosks and ghost kitchens prioritizing delivery and takeout orders over in-person experiences.
The ease of digital errands can also foster a sense of isolation. Instead of venturing out, people may spend more time at home, engaging with screens. This can lead to a form of boredom distinct from the mundane nature of past chores, as even entertainment is increasingly designed for consumption alongside phone use, creating a phone-centric existence. The novelties of public life—unexpected interactions, overheard conversations, and the small dramas of daily existence—are lost.
While technology has undoubtedly made life more convenient, the transition away from in-person errands may be leading to a less connected society. The author suggests that while not every task needs to be performed physically, the increasing difficulty in finding analog alternatives pushes us towards predictable digital interactions, potentially at the expense of the surprising and softly social world outside.