3 ms·

I feel like there are a lot of "buts" like this to modern life. Whenever the topic of quality of life comes up, people are quick to cite modern medicine, the in

I feel like there are a lot of "buts" like this to modern life. Whenever the topic of quality of life comes up, people are quick to cite modern medicine, the internet, smart phones, etc. as proof that we're doing better than ever. But so many people are seemingly relegated to this life of urban-wasteland scrounging, rather than the subsistence farming life that people of their station might have had before. I think in the past, it may have been a little easier to "have nothing". At least in the case that you cite, you'd have relatively fresh healthy food, easy access to nature, and gainful employment. Now you've got urban sprawl, food deserts, and no parking signs. It may be true that you're going to die earlier, but at least you could eek some happiness out of life just living in nature. Despite all of our technology, we're just animals.

nradov 7y ago
Most subsistence farmers, both historically and throughout the world today, had poor and limited diets. They typically depend on a single staple crop for most calories. It's effectively equivalent to living in a food desert even when growing their own food. Hunger and malnutrition are common, especially when the crop fails due to bad weather or pests. Since the human race transitioned from hunter gatherers to farmers it has never been easy to have nothing.
- defterGoose 7y ago
  Sure, and I didn't say that some weren't dying earlier due to things like malnutrition. Even so, if we're considering their diet in isolation, I'm not sure you could make a case that eating real food in smaller quantities rather than garbage in unlimited quantities leads to a lesser "happiness integral".
matt-attack 7y ago
> fresh healthy food I believe they were rarely eating fresh food. Root cellars and canning were both coming forms of food storage for subsistence farmers. Plus the diet was primarily potatoes and other roots, and corn. Not many kale salads nor avocado on toast.
- QuercusMax 7y ago
  Canning is a fairly recent invention, too; I believe it was Napoleon who sponsored its invention to support the needs of his armies.
- defterGoose 7y ago
  I didn't intend to overstate this point. People in areas like where I live (Socal) probably would have had it alright. But even those who had to rely on roots and grains were probably doing better than someone eating Twinkies and Pepsi, which unfortunately is all-too-common amongst the poorest of our society now.

nradov 7y ago

Most subsistence farmers, both historically and throughout the world today, had poor and limited diets. They typically depend on a single staple crop for most calories. It's effectively equivalent to living in a food desert even when growing their own food. Hunger and malnutrition are common, especially when the crop fails due to bad weather or pests. Since the human race transitioned from hunter gatherers to farmers it has never been easy to have nothing.

defterGoose 7y ago
Sure, and I didn't say that some weren't dying earlier due to things like malnutrition. Even so, if we're considering their diet in isolation, I'm not sure you could make a case that eating real food in smaller quantities rather than garbage in unlimited quantities leads to a lesser "happiness integral".

matt-attack 7y ago

> fresh healthy food I believe they were rarely eating fresh food. Root cellars and canning were both coming forms of food storage for subsistence farmers. Plus the diet was primarily potatoes and other roots, and corn. Not many kale salads nor avocado on toast.

QuercusMax 7y ago
Canning is a fairly recent invention, too; I believe it was Napoleon who sponsored its invention to support the needs of his armies.
defterGoose 7y ago
I didn't intend to overstate this point. People in areas like where I live (Socal) probably would have had it alright. But even those who had to rely on roots and grains were probably doing better than someone eating Twinkies and Pepsi, which unfortunately is all-too-common amongst the poorest of our society now.