Auryn Beorn
I have four words for those that tell me that living in ancient eras was better because people weren't so selfish as nowadays (and similar nonsense): mouth infection and no painkillers
Nath Pevensey
Another: 'sewers'.
Auryn Beorn
Oh yes
Zee
Another: tampons
Zee
In fact, I don't idealise that era for the simple fact that they do not have showers 
Nath Pevensey
Fuck, 'dentistry' is another one to add.
Auryn Beorn
"tap water" (the amount of diseases you can get if you drink straight of a river)
Auryn Beorn
"toilet paper"
Auryn Beorn
The list could be so large
Niiiigel
Penicillin.
Auryn Beorn
Niiiigel
: That was one of the best things that happened to humankind
(((Cajsa)))
People weren't as selfish? Where did they get that idea? Death penalty for stealing food. Slavery. Women were chattel. Torture was standard form of interrogation. Child labor.
(((Cajsa)))
Women burned as witches, no religious freedom. Homosexuality a capital crime. And no, people were not more generous as they had nothing to be generous with.
Auryn Beorn
(((Cajsa)))
: I really would like to know where they got that idea too (which is why I added "and similar nonsense"). Sure, our society isn't perfect, but we're far better than even 100 years ago.
Auryn Beorn
I know some people who despise any kind of improvement (even medical ones) because they're stuck into a crazy idyllic ideal that "way back in time, things were better". Well... No. No matter how you look at it.
Titania
rofl in Italy we say "when we had HIM, trains would arrive perfectly in time" 
But that's it, the only good thing about the past is we should learn from past mistakes.
But that's it, the only good thing about the past is we should learn from past mistakes.
Asha
qft to what CajsaLilliehook said. Plus, there have been selfish people throughout time. This reminds me of people who try an romanticize the 1950s or civil war era.
Gus
every time i go to the dentist... despite that i hate going to the dentist ... i alwyas think i am glad i am living in this era
(((Cajsa)))
I grew up without running water, intermittent electricity (power went out for days at time anytime there was a storm) and wood for cooking and heat. There is nothing, NOTHING, romantic about sitting your ass
(((Cajsa)))
down on an outhouse toilet when it is 20 below zero.
(((Cajsa)))
or, for that matter, when it is 80 degrees and the heat is cooking up that stew
(((Cajsa)))
ugh
Auryn Beorn
(((Cajsa)))
: My mother grew up in those conditions too. My grandmother still owns the little house where she and grandpa lived, their eight kids and the donkey (no kidding).
Auryn Beorn
The toilet was a hole next to a window in the living room. There was no shower/bathtub or anything that resembled a bathroom.
Auryn Beorn
And of course, because of the donkey (granpa used it all days to work at the fields) the house was infested with fleas. There's absolutely nothing romantic on that.
Auryn Beorn
I'm glad I could see that house because it's something you have to see if you have not lived it, only to begin understanding how awful things were.
Auryn Beorn
Cooling in summer consisted in opening the windows and wait for some breeze. Being warm in winter consisted in getting your own wood (like you mention too), and trying not to burn down the house.
Auryn Beorn
Fridges were a luxury, even toothpaste was a luxury.
Auryn Beorn
Or food, for that matter, the first decade after the Civil War (my parents were born right after it)
Auryn Beorn
Persey: omg yes, the lack of anesthetic... and there was so much cutting limbs because of the many awful accidents, wars and whatnot >.<
Auryn Beorn
And what about people with mental illness... Those poor souls were considered as possessed by devils, and we know what happened after that.
Auryn Beorn
I hear that nonsensical idyllic love for the ancient times, from time to time, and I really don't know what could be done to tell to that people "you really have no idea what you're saying, do you?"
☆Lourdes☆
ugh no. No toilet paper and sewage in the streets and horse shit
(((Cajsa)))
I guess I am going to be grateful we had an outhouse, now. At least it as outside.
NeedleNerd
And dying of ergotism because your rye is infected and you were too poor to have other bread.
SiriusFarspire
There is an appeal to killing someone you don't like with an axe, though.
NeedleNerd
You can still do that, though
Nath Pevensey
Having been to Italy, Titania, I sincerely doubt that the trains ever ran on time. 
Titania
Nath Pevensey
: I totally agree! That's why we had to find interesting ways to entertain ourselves while waiting for late trains (like pizza and gelato 
)
)
NeedleNerd
Why did I think you lived in the UK, Titania?
Titania
NeedleNerd
: because of my British humour, my dear.
NeedleNerd
Your what now?