Just as the Greeks thought they lived comfortably compared to their image of naked foragers in the wilderness, we have some misperceptions of our own advanced s

Just as the Greeks thought they lived comfortably compared to their image of naked foragers in the wilderness, we have some misperceptions of our own advanced state. For example, a common mismeasurement of the misery of pre-industrial life is very low life expectancy. On average, you'll be dead at about 35 years. But that number is skewed by a very high infant and child mortality rate. If you make it to adulthood, you're still subject to lack of modern medicine, but you'll probably make it farther than 35. That sucks compared to present day low infant mortality, which has many benefits beyond just fewer dead children. But low infant mortality skews our view of the harshness of pre-industrial adult life. Relative comfort can impart smugness.