Offline & Outdoors
SOCIETY
The Power of Physical Presence
WRITTEN BY
TEE BAKER
Iconic on-screen moments for millennials and boomers alike would be remiss to exclude Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Both the 1971 and later adaptations of Roald Dahl’s novel remain lodged in many of our collective imaginations. I still remember marvelling at the scene where Charlie reaches toward the flickering TV screen to snatch a bar of chocolate that suddenly materialises before him. What once seemed like magic now feels almost mundane, with a tap of a screen able to summon groceries, clothes, or gadgets to our doorsteps.
“ It wasn’t just about the food in my basket, but about moving through a shared space, brushing past strangers, being part of the quiet choreography of a crowd.”
Beyond chocolate, online shopping has quickly asserted itself as the standard. Niche or not, the lure of a global market and the convenience of express delivery has made companies and consumers alike magnets to the digital marketplace.
As a chronic online shopper, I recently forced myself into a supermarket to buy a few breakfast bits. Normally, I avoid the aisles altogether, overwhelmed by the sheer abundance of choice, a privilege in itself. But reframing it as an experience rather than an errand changed everything. It wasn’t just about the food in my basket, but about moving through a shared space, brushing past strangers, being part of the quiet choreography of a crowd.
And that’s the piece online shopping can’t replicate. Even with minimal dialogue exchanged, stepping into a store, much like slipping into a café, library, or market, reminds us that these third spaces matter. They are an open invitation to participate in the lives of others, bringing ourselves centre stage in the play of humanity. And most of all, they are our constant reminder that sometimes, the presence of people is the product.
“They are an open invitation to participate in the lives of others, bringing ourselves centre stage in the play of humanity. ”
Behind the Pour
Tee Baker is the Founder and Editor of Spill. A graduate of Falmouth University with a degree in screenwriting, she brings over eight years of professional experience crafting compelling narratives for clients across PR, social media, and digital storytelling. In 2020, Tee published her debut book, Bark & Ink. When she’s not writing, you’ll often find her exploring the outdoors on foot or horseback.