Editorial: Don't let homebody economy confine you

It would serve us all well to remember the joy of a walk outside. Photo / File

EDITORIAL:

Many things we take for granted today may have seemed like a dystopian nightmare to our ancestors.

The majority of our communication is electronic, an empire of sounds and symbols is beamed into our homes daily, and there is growing opportunity to spend all our time in the confines of our own home.

Of course, the evolution of how we live has many positives.

Being able to fly to the other side of the world in 24 hours, skyping a loved one wherever they are, and the modern conveniences we enjoy are such that few would want to go backwards.

And indeed we are not. As we report today, we are driving a new "homebody economy" with the likes of food delivery services, new modes of transport and streaming services pouring a vast wealth of entertainment direct to our lounges.

Uber Eats is a relatively new player on the block, having arrived in New Zealand less than two years ago.

For most people it might be an occasional treat, but one person ordered it a staggering 438 times last year.

Much of this is a result of our busy lives. And it has opened up new opportunities, first for entrepreneurs and increasingly now for young people looking for new career paths.

It is also bringing a range of problems, chiefly impacting our health. There are others who would go further.

It's a capitalist dream as consumers buy things online they don't need then post to Instagram, prompting envy and greed from others who buy to keep up.

That's likely an extreme view. But another concern is, at a time when loneliness is on the increase throughout New Zealand, this is an economy driving people further into their own homes.

It would take an odd kind of wowser to try to halt this change in how we live — and it'd be futile.

But it would serve us all well to remember the joy of a walk outside, passing the time of day with a neighbour, or enjoying a meal out with friends and family.