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Do you really think having to work 40 hours per week to pay a mortgage is better than the life Louis XIV had, only because you have a SUV, a large TV and access

Do you really think having to work 40 hours per week to pay a mortgage is better than the life Louis XIV had, only because you have a SUV, a large TV and access to 4chan and reddit? It's not about stuff, people. It's about leisure time, power, social recognition and, ultimately, freedom to do whatever you want.

Cushman 16y ago
Yes. Unequivocally so. I think you aren't properly envisioning what Louis' day-to-day life was actually, physically like. Edit: Additionally, if you think that maintaining power and social recognition doesn't require constant effort, you obviously have never known someone who was really popular in middle school.
- galactus 16y ago
  And I think you aren't properly envisioning what living like a real king was.
- arethuza 16y ago
  Kings generally didn't get to be where they were through acclamation of their peers, they generally got there because at least one (and often many) of their ancestors was a spectacular badass.
  - ebrenes 16y ago
    And only then if they had a sufficient power base that would endorse said claim. Many are the apparent heirs that died without a crown on their head despite having a legitimate claim to the thrown. You're underestimating how much effort went into maintaining said power and how much effort was required to keep those people supporting the king happy. Surely, a king has many options in how to play these power games and come up ahead but his life hardly consisted of cruising along doing what he pleases like many rich people today.
- defen 16y ago
  Yea, but imagine if you could say you built Versailles, patronized Molière and Racine, quelled the aristocracy, and slept with all the most beautiful women in France.
  - Cushman 16y ago
    I think you're greatly underestimating the impact of proper nutrition, clean water and dental hygiene. There are probably more objectively beautiful women at most state colleges than were in all of France in the time of kings.
    - prodigal_erik 16y ago
      But if you choose middle class today you can't expect to sleep with them all.

Cushman 16y ago

Yes. Unequivocally so. I think you aren't properly envisioning what Louis' day-to-day life was actually, physically like. Edit: Additionally, if you think that maintaining power and social recognition doesn't require constant effort, you obviously have never known someone who was really popular in middle school.

galactus 16y ago
And I think you aren't properly envisioning what living like a real king was.
arethuza 16y ago
Kings generally didn't get to be where they were through acclamation of their peers, they generally got there because at least one (and often many) of their ancestors was a spectacular badass.
- ebrenes 16y ago
  And only then if they had a sufficient power base that would endorse said claim. Many are the apparent heirs that died without a crown on their head despite having a legitimate claim to the thrown. You're underestimating how much effort went into maintaining said power and how much effort was required to keep those people supporting the king happy. Surely, a king has many options in how to play these power games and come up ahead but his life hardly consisted of cruising along doing what he pleases like many rich people today.
defen 16y ago
Yea, but imagine if you could say you built Versailles, patronized Molière and Racine, quelled the aristocracy, and slept with all the most beautiful women in France.
- Cushman 16y ago
  I think you're greatly underestimating the impact of proper nutrition, clean water and dental hygiene. There are probably more objectively beautiful women at most state colleges than were in all of France in the time of kings.
  - prodigal_erik 16y ago
    But if you choose middle class today you can't expect to sleep with them all.