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Are-Things-Getting-Better

Are things getting better? Are we progressing as a society?

I commonly hear people say how good we have it nowadays. A century ago, we would've most likely been poor, illeterate, malnourished and sick. But nowadays we are wealthy, fat and [sic] healthy.

But I claim that we only have it better now materially speaking, not mentally or spiritually. I claim that poor people a century ago were just as miserable as poor people are today. And that wealthy people a century ago were just as joyful as wealthy people are today. So what has really changed? And whatever has changed, is it meaningfully important?

I would argue, not necessarily.