So it turns out that, with each year that passes, humans are speaking 338 words fewer every day. A study, recently published in Perspectives on Psychological Science, found that between 2005 and 2019, conversation dropped by 28%. And for younger people, it's happening at an even faster pace.
Taking a second to stop and examine your daily life, you begin to realise where it's happening. Google Maps means no one needs to ask for directions. When you land in a new city, you can open Uber, and a conversation-free ride will take you to your hotel. But if you're buying lunch or coffee, you might not even speak a word to the people behind the counter.
If you've had the misfortune of visiting London's worst live music venue, the O2, you'll have queued up at a screen to order a bottle of wine or a beer, only to pay and be presented with a receipt that you take to the bar. God forbid you actually converse with the people who are making it.
It's become almost impossible to avoid the situation at the supermarket, unless you're really determined. But, on the whole, we've found that at coffee shops and lunch spots a person will still take an order at the traditional till.
There's something deeply sinister about not even needing to talk to any of the people who work at these businesses. And it's time to take a stand against it.
The statistics on loneliness have never been more stark, and yet we're turning cities into places where millions of people barely look at each other, let alone chat. Get to know the people in your nearest coffee shop or takeaway. And perhaps when this research is conducted again, we'll have reversed the trend. If they don't allow you to even talk to the staff, it's time to vote with your feet and take your custom elsewhere.
Part of Paperweight's 'Greater Things' series; #1001 ways to live your life greater. Get it delivered to your inbox every week with Sunday Paperweight when you subscribe for free.
