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It's poverty that sucks. The rural exodus to the cities occurred later in France and Ireland than, for example, Britain, so the memories of "true" peasant life
by pcrh 3y ago
It's poverty that sucks. The rural exodus to the cities occurred later in France and Ireland than, for example, Britain, so the memories of "true" peasant life were able to be more easily documented. You perhaps know the TV series "Jean Chalosse" which describes modernity arriving for a shepherd in the Landes region of France [0].
The other side to this, is that most who left the countryside for the cities did not see a marked improvement in living standards, they simply swapped poverty in the countryside for poverty in the city.
[0] https://madelen.ina.fr/serie/jean-chalosse-2720 https://madelen.ina.fr/serie/jean-chalosse-2720
- Mistletoe 3y agoI always remember this sort of article which frames things differently about who we should pity. https://allthatsinteresting.com/medieval-peasants-vacation-more https://allthatsinteresting.com/medieval-peasants-vacation-m... We have more stuff now but it seems we have way less time and maybe even less happiness? I don’t know, I’m biased I love working outside.
- latency-guy2 3y agoBe sure to check up on sources, this cites Schor, who is not completely honest in her rhetoric. You might also be interested in asking Schor herself why she omitted some research when she started her series.
- lmm 3y ago> The other side to this, is that most who left the countryside for the cities did not see a marked improvement in living standards, they simply swapped poverty in the countryside for poverty in the city. Most, perhaps, but not all, and not forever. Cities managed to generate enough productivity to raise the populace up - of course, it took the likes of the labour movement to ensure the spoils were actually spread among the people. But the rural regions didn't even get that far; they were poor and have remained poor.