05-09-2017, 03:08 PM
(05-09-2017, 11:40 AM)The Wonkette Wrote:(05-09-2017, 10:06 AM)David Horn Wrote:(05-09-2017, 03:44 AM)Galen Wrote: You do realize that life in the nineteenth century was far better than that in earlier eras...
Better for some, bad to crushing for others. As usual, the powerful did extremely well and those who served the powerful did OK. The rest were either living on the frontier or being beaten down on a regular basis. Most of the frontier dwellers were homesteaders, with very high failure rates and early deaths, or the few success stories. Not a brilliant story, but better than earlier periods. Also, not a model for modernity.
Even for the rich and well-connected, the 19th century medical tool set had definite drawbacks. Compare two assassination attempts, 100 years apart, James Garfield versus Ronald Reagan. Although Garfield's injury was far less serious, he eventually succumbed to it because of the limits of medical treatment in 1881; Reagan came close to death but with late 20th century technology, fully recovered and served out the remaining 7 years 10 months of his term, living ultimately to the ripe age of 94.
Good point. There are so many ways modernity is preferable, that longing for the past seems foolish on its face.
Intelligence is not knowledge and knowledge is not wisdom, but they all play well together.