From time to time, particularly in the current global climate, a reminder of how all of Homo sapiens spent the majority of its existence is required.
Here is is a brief and highly selective list of "It was much worse in prehistoric times."
1. Prehistoric humans had to hunt their food with flint on a stick. In return, the food hunted them back with teeth and claws. When the food left, humans migrated with them.
2. Public transportation was by foot only.
3. There were no stores or cities. They had to craft and make their own belongings.
4. There was no medication. There were no hospitals. At best, there was a healer, who administered ground up plants while chanting.
5. There was no one to sue if things went wrong.
6. If they fell off a mountain, they died. If something became infected, they died. If something ate them, they died. They ate what they found and hoped for the best. There were surprises. Average life expectancy was probably 30.
7. They lived with parasites and without toilet paper.
8. The infrastructure was usually trying to kill them.
And if you live somewhere where none of this sounds familiar, you are fortunate.
I could not be a prehistoric WOman... no coffee or chocolate. Although, I have been known to resemble a cave woman before my morning cuppa.
ReplyDeleteNeither would I.
DeleteSeriously, how did they get out of the cave in the morning?
Badly, I would imagine.
DeleteP.S. in Australia, everything is either trying to kill you or eat you..
ReplyDeleteLOL.
DeleteJust the kind of adventure one needs.
we ARE into our extreme sports over here..lol
DeleteAnd there is Sprite, the aussie triathlete. After successfully running from parasitic wasps, she is now entering the racing against box jellies part of the competition. Ready. Set. GO!
Delete#5! *clap*
ReplyDelete(P.S. I miss my writing too. Thank you for saying that.)
Right?
DeleteIt happens to be true.
You forgot to mention that women were the lesser species...oh wait, never mind, we still are. (sorry, not trying to be political, but I do get frustrated feeling like women are going to be dragged back into the dark ages with their health/reproductive issues.)
ReplyDeleteNope. I didn't forget. Many prehistoric societies were matriarchal, which likely allowed them to survive.
DeleteHope that won't happen; see March 2012 post.
Thank you for the refresher. :)
DeleteTalk about keeping it in perspective--wow! Thanks for this friendly reminder, Ant. My week does look a little brighter . . . :)
ReplyDeleteWe forget the times we didn't live in.;)
DeleteNotice how in high fantasy, no one ever writes about infection or starvation while trekking after the McGuffin for years?
I wonder what sports they liked?
ReplyDeleteHunting, gathering and napping?
ReplyDelete"administered ground up plants while chanting." Is it wrong that this is how I teach most of my classes these days?
ReplyDeleteHahaha.
ReplyDeleteThose are my favorite lectures.
no toilet paper is a dangerous stank and nasty thought
ReplyDelete