In Robert Gordon's book he points out that GDP growth was not well measured in the industrial revolution either until things had stabilized and after a lot of t

In Robert Gordon's book he points out that GDP growth was not well measured in the industrial revolution either until things had stabilized and after a lot of the big improvements in life had happened. Look at infant mortality and mortality to 5 years old in 1800 vs 1850 vs 1900 vs 1950 or so. How much is it worth not watching your children die? The addition of water and sewage into housing had a huge impact. Dramatically reducing the labor required to live and dramatically reducing disease. Look at life in 1800 vs 1900 and the percentage working on a farm. It was probably an improvement to live in a town or city and not have to get up at dawn and work in a low productivity farm. Look at how life expectancy shot up. How much is it worth looking at your grandchildren grow up? Sure, since 2000 we have vastly better internet connected phones and social networks and it isn't well measured. But what wasn't well measured in the past was probably worth more and was more important for people's lives.