Source: Fortune.com
Summary
A recent study suggests that people are speaking significantly fewer words per day than they did 20 years ago. Researchers found that the average person has spoken about 338 fewer words a day per year since 2005, resulting in a 30% decline in daily spoken words. The decline was more pronounced among younger adults, who lost an average of 451 words a year. The study’s authors attribute this trend to the convenience economy, which has led people to prioritize efficiency and minimize interactions with others. The researchers also note that this decline in face-to-face conversation may contribute to the loneliness epidemic.
Our Reading
The numbers tell one story. The convenience economy has optimized our time, but at what cost? We’re “me-maxxing” our way through life, skipping human exchanges to save a few minutes. The study’s findings are not surprising, given our increasing reliance on technology and the decline of third places. The question is, what are we losing in the process? The answer lies in the small habits we’ve lost, the dozens of small exchanges that used to happen without anyone noticing.
Author: Evan Null
