Core Viewpoint - The current era is characterized by low costs for ordinary people to "lie flat," which can be seen as both a benefit and a sign of the disappearance of other benefits [4][8]. Group 1: Delivery Industry Insights - The low cost of food delivery in China is attributed to a significantly lower labor cost, averaging around $1 per delivery compared to $5 in the U.S. [9]. - Delivery riders face harsh penalties for delays, with a 20% deduction for being late by 3 minutes and a 50% deduction for being over 3 minutes late [9]. - A significant portion of delivery riders, nearly 45%, are aged between 31 and 45, with 37% working over 10 hours a day, yet only 2% earn over 10,000 yuan per month [9]. - Restaurants bear more than half of the costs for user subsidies, leading to a dilemma where they must choose between participating in subsidies for order growth or maintaining profitability [9][10]. - Major tech companies like Didi, Alipay, and Douyin have previously attempted to enter the food delivery market but exited due to low profitability [13][14]. Group 2: Market Dynamics - The ongoing food delivery competition is driven by companies seeking to use delivery services as a means to attract customers to their core businesses, rather than a genuine interest in the delivery market itself [15][18]. - The absurdity of the current delivery war lies in the fact that no major player is truly committed to making food delivery profitable, as evidenced by the historical losses incurred by companies in this space [15][18]. - The competitive landscape reflects a broader trend across various industries where all parties involved are pressured to perform, leading to a cycle of "survival of the fittest" [15][16]. Group 3: Societal Reflections - The notion of "lying flat" is not a new concept but rather a response to the overwhelming pressures of modern life, where individuals feel trapped in a cycle of relentless competition [32]. - The current era offers a unique opportunity for individuals to pursue personal interests without the immediate pressure of societal expectations, contrasting sharply with previous generations [34][35]. - The narrative of success has shifted, with the current generation facing different challenges compared to those who thrived during the previous economic boom [24][34].

Group 1 - The current era is characterized by low costs for consumers, allowing them to enjoy services like food delivery at minimal expense, which is unprecedented in history [1][4] - However, this low cost comes at the expense of the income of service providers, highlighting a disparity in the benefits of the current economic model [3][5] - The low labor costs in China's food delivery sector are starkly contrasted with those in the US, with an average cost of approximately $1 per delivery compared to $5 in the US [6][7] Group 2 - Delivery riders face harsh penalties for delays, with significant income deductions for being late, and many work long hours with low pay, indicating a challenging work environment [7][10] - Restaurant owners are also dissatisfied, as they bear a significant portion of the costs associated with consumer subsidies, leading to a dilemma between participating in promotions or risking a loss of orders [8] - The overall sentiment among workers in the food delivery ecosystem is one of discontent, as their wages do not reflect the increasing demand for services [9][10] Group 3 - Major tech companies have previously attempted to enter the food delivery market but have exited due to low profitability, indicating that the food delivery business is not as lucrative as it appears [14][15] - The current competition among major players in the food delivery market is driven more by the need to attract users rather than a genuine interest in the food delivery business itself [16][19] - The ongoing food delivery wars reflect a broader trend of companies burning cash to gain market share, reminiscent of past market battles where losses were absorbed by platforms and investors [24][25] Group 4 - The current economic environment allows individuals more freedom to pursue personal interests without the pressure of traditional success metrics, contrasting with previous generations [58][61] - The notion of "lying flat" is not a new concept but reflects a response to the overwhelming pressures of modern work life, suggesting a shift in societal values [54][56] - The era presents a paradox where the pursuit of personal happiness and interests is now more accessible, yet the underlying economic pressures remain [60][62]