I'm pretty sure what he was trying to say is that, as bad as Amazon's warehouses may be, his experience was worse, and, perhaps, that back in the day, warehouses were worse.

What conclusion you or the OP choose to draw from that is a different question.

Agreed! It's why immigrants in low-paying, low-skill jobs press so hard for their children to get as much formal education as possible. Even two years of community college is enough to gain more control (and income!)