3 ms·

I think you’re undervaluing the importance of 1) not starving and 2) being able to drink clean water. I’d also point out that the economic conditions of 500-150

I think you’re undervaluing the importance of 1) not starving and 2) being able to drink clean water. I’d also point out that the economic conditions of 500-150 years ago were predicated on slavery, serfdom, female guardianship and colonialism. Even if you look only at the life of the average white man they were largely bound to live as serfs, and exist in state of total oppression. I’m sure some had a better life, but the majority of people lived and died in abject poverty as the playthings of a militarized elite.

XorNot 4y ago
People forget that the 8 hour workday, paid time off, and every other workers right were won at a price of blood [1]. But on the topic of people being better off I would also disagree strongly: the wealthy were the wealthy, and still poorer today in everyway that matters. The King of France might've notionally had an army, but all his money in the world couldn't buy the inspiration, creativity or organizational skill which made indoor plumbing possible. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pullman_Strike https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pullman_Strike
__pache__ 4y ago
There are more people in slavery now than ever...?
autoexec 4y ago
As long as you're willing to eat trash you aren't going to starve, but sadly, being able to drink clean water is hardly a given in America today.
- astrange 4y ago
  This appears to be a hidden Flint reference, so I must point out Flint's water was fixed in 2019 and people have yet to stop trying to claim it's still bad.
  - autoexec 4y ago
    Flint was only one example sadly, there's a surprising number of communities in the US who are, or recently have been, unable to get drinkable water from their tap. Often for reasons like crumbling infrastructure, lead, or other contaminants. Seriously, search whatever state you like and you'll probably find there is, or recently was, large numbers of Americans there under orders to avoid drinking their water or only using it after boiling it. I have yet to see a national map of every area where the water isn't safe to drink, but I'd recommend checking cities in your area often and checking any place you plan on visiting because it rarely gets a lot of attention. I expect things to get even worse once we get federally enforced standards and rules for PFAS contamination. Here are some recent examples: https://www.25newsnow.com/2022/11/21/boil-order-large-portion-washington-under-boil-order-until-further-notice/ https://www.25newsnow.com/2022/11/21/boil-order-large-portio... https://calmatters.org/newsletters/whatmatters/2022/07/california-drinking-water-safe/ https://calmatters.org/newsletters/whatmatters/2022/07/calif... https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/water-boil-order-issued-2-million-houston-94085534 https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/water-boil-order-issued-... https://www.newsweek.com/florida-city-issues-boil-water-warning-after-e-coli-found-190k-affected-1742499 https://www.newsweek.com/florida-city-issues-boil-water-warn... https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/michigan/articles/2022-08-15/whitmer-declares-emergency-for-4-counties-after-main-break https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/michigan/articles/20... https://people.com/human-interest/boil-water-notice-lifted-in-jackson-miss-nearly-7-weeks-after-it-went-into-effect/ https://people.com/human-interest/boil-water-notice-lifted-i... https://cdphe.colorado.gov/press-release/town-of-superior-issues-boil-water-advisory-due-to-fires https://cdphe.colorado.gov/press-release/town-of-superior-is... https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/sep/21/lead-contamination-chicago-tap-water-revealed https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/sep/21/lead-contami... https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/environment/ct-illinois-lead-service-pipes-20210319-rifuuexkezb5bf6ncltqlb4m6a-story.html https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/environment/ct-illinois-... https://www.mynbc5.com/article/new-hampshire-town-forced-to-boil-water-for-more-than-2-weeks-after-e-coli-reports/41784067 https://www.mynbc5.com/article/new-hampshire-town-forced-to-...

XorNot 4y ago

People forget that the 8 hour workday, paid time off, and every other workers right were won at a price of blood [1]. But on the topic of people being better off I would also disagree strongly: the wealthy were the wealthy, and still poorer today in everyway that matters. The King of France might've notionally had an army, but all his money in the world couldn't buy the inspiration, creativity or organizational skill which made indoor plumbing possible. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pullman_Strike https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pullman_Strike

__pache__ 4y ago

There are more people in slavery now than ever...?

autoexec 4y ago

As long as you're willing to eat trash you aren't going to starve, but sadly, being able to drink clean water is hardly a given in America today.

astrange 4y ago
This appears to be a hidden Flint reference, so I must point out Flint's water was fixed in 2019 and people have yet to stop trying to claim it's still bad.
- autoexec 4y ago
  Flint was only one example sadly, there's a surprising number of communities in the US who are, or recently have been, unable to get drinkable water from their tap. Often for reasons like crumbling infrastructure, lead, or other contaminants. Seriously, search whatever state you like and you'll probably find there is, or recently was, large numbers of Americans there under orders to avoid drinking their water or only using it after boiling it. I have yet to see a national map of every area where the water isn't safe to drink, but I'd recommend checking cities in your area often and checking any place you plan on visiting because it rarely gets a lot of attention. I expect things to get even worse once we get federally enforced standards and rules for PFAS contamination. Here are some recent examples: https://www.25newsnow.com/2022/11/21/boil-order-large-portion-washington-under-boil-order-until-further-notice/ https://www.25newsnow.com/2022/11/21/boil-order-large-portio... https://calmatters.org/newsletters/whatmatters/2022/07/california-drinking-water-safe/ https://calmatters.org/newsletters/whatmatters/2022/07/calif... https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/water-boil-order-issued-2-million-houston-94085534 https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/water-boil-order-issued-... https://www.newsweek.com/florida-city-issues-boil-water-warning-after-e-coli-found-190k-affected-1742499 https://www.newsweek.com/florida-city-issues-boil-water-warn... https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/michigan/articles/2022-08-15/whitmer-declares-emergency-for-4-counties-after-main-break https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/michigan/articles/20... https://people.com/human-interest/boil-water-notice-lifted-in-jackson-miss-nearly-7-weeks-after-it-went-into-effect/ https://people.com/human-interest/boil-water-notice-lifted-i... https://cdphe.colorado.gov/press-release/town-of-superior-issues-boil-water-advisory-due-to-fires https://cdphe.colorado.gov/press-release/town-of-superior-is... https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/sep/21/lead-contamination-chicago-tap-water-revealed https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/sep/21/lead-contami... https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/environment/ct-illinois-lead-service-pipes-20210319-rifuuexkezb5bf6ncltqlb4m6a-story.html https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/environment/ct-illinois-... https://www.mynbc5.com/article/new-hampshire-town-forced-to-boil-water-for-more-than-2-weeks-after-e-coli-reports/41784067 https://www.mynbc5.com/article/new-hampshire-town-forced-to-...