The dominating role of the automobile in modern society, the increase in crime, the proliferation of television and home entertainment, and the telephone, have all contributed to the decline of street life apparent in most inner cities and suburbs. The street has become little more than a parking area for cars, supplanting the children's games, neighbourhood festivities, flea markets and gossip groups that once used it as their backdrop. People now isolate themselves within their homes and have little personal interaction with neighbours or strangers.