News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on Pre-industrial workers had a shorter workweek than today's (1991). Parent comment

Re:Pre-industrial workers had a shorter workweek than today'... by agumonkey on Saturday October 30, 2021 @03:08PM (#29051467)
Maybe these simple time passing rituals were enough to enjoy their winters.

I think we might consider them dull because we're not living their lives but maybe these were denser and fuller times than what we do today.

It's also possible that having harsher conditions half a year, made simple games and gatherings deeply satisfying.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Pre-industrial workers had a shorter workweek than today'... by jrumbut on Saturday October 30, 2021 @03:40PM (#29051718)
I don't want to completely write off progress, because there's been a lot of that and I don't envy medieval peasants, however I think there's a tradeoff.

They were bored most of the day waiting for the bocce-precursor or cock fight to begin, while we've got something to play with constantly that appears to give us anxiety and insomnia.

Boredom isn't usually fatal and may even protect against other problems.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Pre-industrial workers had a shorter workweek than today'... by agumonkey on Saturday October 30, 2021 @03:48PM (#29051782)
Me neither, I think it's time for a review about some hidden principles we assume are good for us (constant availability of easy pleasures) but may not be.
[ Parent | on HN ]