The dating scene has changed drastically over the past decade. One-in-five partnered adults under 30 say they met their current spouse or partner on a dating site or app. What once was a chance encounter at a local coffee shop has now become a pastime enjoyed in the comfort of one’s bed. You swipe, read for a few seconds, scroll and delete as people become items in an online shopping cart.

Dupe culture is exploiting the work of small businesses, placing an emphasis on quantity over quality and discounting the creativity and individuality behind products today. Without the ability to counter low prices from brands like Zara, Shein or Temu, all attempts to price-compete seem futile.

Why are consumers responsible for paying these charges? And why is there such a great reliance on tips as opposed to restructuring the system so that employers bear the cost?

I open my settings app to Screen Time. four hours and two minutes, it reads. Yet as I count the individual app usage — one hour and 12 minutes on Messages, 36 minutes on Instagram, 27 minutes on Safari, 10 minutes on Gmail — I see that something does not add up … literally.

Instant gratification is a curse and a blessing. The digital era that we live in has fostered a desire for satisfaction and fulfillment at our fingertips. While this can just be seen as yet another byproduct of the pandemic — the desire for instant gratification is a trend that has its roots far earlier than 2020.