Food's disappearing community

Book explores people's relationship with meals in today's fast-paced society, as cooking becomes a thing of the past with the rise of delivery platforms, Yang Yang reports.

Many people might not realize that one basic life necessity has lost control: meals. With so many online shopping platforms, people have discovered the freedom to get anything they want quickly and at a reasonable price.

However, 41-year-old Chen Yuhui, known by the online handle Tianluoguniang, points out in the book Shuilai Jueding Chi Shenme (Who Decides What to Eat) that people have lost their autonomy over food, reflecting a deeper concern about disappearing community life in a result-oriented society that prioritizes efficiency.

"Many people don't realize how often their dining choices are made for them," she says.