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Was there ever a generation where the "best minds" weren't trapped doing something seemingly mundane or pointless? The amount of leisure time that western civi
by blhack 15y ago
Was there ever a generation where the "best minds" weren't trapped doing something seemingly mundane or pointless?
The amount of leisure time that western civilization enjoys today is only a very recent development (within ~100 years).
- gnaritas 15y ago> The amount of leisure time that western civilization enjoys today is only a very recent development But is it really? If I recall it's been found that typical hunter gathers had more leisure time than we do.
- Locke1689 15y agoBut is it really? If I recall it's been found that typical hunter gathers had more leisure time than we do. Citation needed. As far as I understand, the reason why civilization doesn't happen without agriculture is that everyone has the same job: getting food. Fundamentally, leisure time doesn't matter when everyone's specialty is "getting food." There's a reason that most of history's notable mathematicians and scientists tended to be in the upper class of their society.