A BBC article bemoans the death of "purposeless walking," that ambulatory habit of thinkers and creatives since time immemorial. In wheel-transit Western culture, walking is typically a luxury or exercise activity. But the death of walking as time to reflect, observe nature, and explore our inner landscapes. The writer observes: "Boil down the books on walking and you're left with some key tips:

• Walk further and with no fixed route
• Stop texting and mapping
• Don't soundtrack your walks
• Go alone
• Find walkable places
• Walk mindfully."

All of these key practices are threatened by the increasing distraction and fast speed of our culture. Here's the point: we think that we win when we move faster or fill our time. But we simply don't. Empty time to be physical and reflect produces things—creativity, neighborhood connection, humility—that are impossible to get in a car seat or from a phone screen.