The new browsing

It seemed so appropriate: While browsing in my favourite bookshop, I stumbled upon a book about exactly that, browsing. The slim paperback was displayed in a small stack on top of a vertical rack of heftier volumes. The moment the title caught my eye, I knew it was an urgent read.

Penned by Jason Guriel, On Browsing is a series of connected essays on the art of meandering through bricks-and-mortar shops without a particular goal in mind. The author reminds us of how the serendipitous discoveries we made in Blockbusters and shopping mall bookstores and downtown record emporiums were so much more life-enhancing than the too-easy choices offered us by algorithms.

As a fellow Torontonian, I found Guriel's references especially heartrending, whether he's praising the unexpected poetry of The World's Biggest Bookstore or parsing the layout of the flagship Sam the Record Man, both now lost to history. He has a sharp sense of physical media's tactile delights and calls forth the meaningful journeys we once took to get our hands on rare acquisitions.

It's a powerful little book that will get you thinking about how real-world browsing matters more than ever in a world of rampant digitization and pandemic-driven restraints. When I considered my own recent shopping expeditions, I recognized three qualities that feel newly prominent as screens threaten to engulf everything.

Soothing

In a chaotic time, as we're pelted by 24/7 news, the simple fact that another human being took the time to arrange some objects in a pleasing way can be weirdly consoling. The act of looking becomes a form of therapy, a way of establishing a secret bond with an unknown kindred spirit who believes in creating outposts of order. A purchase isn't necessary, just the will to reclaim a moment of tranquility.

Perplexing

Our pixel-addled brains need time to ease into the forgotten protocols of the physical world. Shopping in three dimensions can be confusing for the first little while. Where's the Add to Cart button? Where's the heart icon? What do I do now? Relaaaaax. Give it some time and the long-lost routines will come back to you.

Arousing

The narcotic effect of too much screen time eventually dissipates in the athletic romp of a retail outing. Strolling is more stimulating than scrolling. Your five senses are engaged, you're thrown into the mix with other shoppers, plus you've got banter with a salesperson as an optional garnish. You're fully alive. You've gone from empty calories to a satisfying meal.

What aspects of in-person browsing are you missing?

As the holiday season kicks into gear, it's time to find out.

Affectionately,