Why America is less of a 24/7 society, according to one analysis
4 reported
An article on Marginal Revolution, citing writer Christopher Kratovil, observes that America is a far less 24/7 society today than it was 10, 20, or 30 years ago. Kratovil recalls that in 1996, a mid-sized Indiana town allowed purchasing groceries, clothing, a lawn mower, a snow blower, Lego sets, and bow hunting gear at 3 AM on any Tuesday. The article presents several hypotheses for this change, including an aging population, increased leisure time and tighter labor markets, the decline of physical stores, the rise of delivery services like Doordash, increased shoplifting, better online entertainment, and more work from home. The author suggests that the shift of 24/7 activity to warehouses, fulfillment centers, server farms, delivery networks, and homes, along with improved online entertainment, are the most likely explanations.
What’s reported
The article states America is a far less 24/7 society today than 10, 20, or 30 years ago.
In 1996, a mid-sized Indiana town allowed buying groceries, clothing, a lawn mower, a snow blower, Lego sets, and bow hunting gear at 3 AM any Tuesday.
Hypotheses listed include: America is older; increasing leisure time and tighter labor markets; decline of stores; shift of 24/7 activity to warehouses, fulfillment centers, server farms, delivery networks, and homes; Doordash reducing need for late-night snacks; increased shoplifting; better online entertainment; and more work from home.
The author puts most weight on the shift of 24/7 activity to warehouses and delivery networks, and better online entertainment.
Key figures
Christopher Kratovil (writer cited in the article)
Sources: marginalrevolution.com
