[blhack]

Was there ever a generation where the "best minds" weren't trapped doing something seemingly mundane or pointless?

The amount of leisure time that western civilization enjoys today is only a very recent development (within ~100 years).

[gnaritas → blhack]

> The amount of leisure time that western civilization enjoys today is only a very recent development

But is it really? If I recall it's been found that typical hunter gathers had more leisure time than we do.

[Locke1689 → gnaritas]

But is it really? If I recall it's been found that typical hunter gathers had more leisure time than we do.

Citation needed. As far as I understand, the reason why civilization doesn't happen without agriculture is that everyone has the same job: getting food. Fundamentally, leisure time doesn't matter when everyone's specialty is "getting food." There's a reason that most of history's notable mathematicians and scientists tended to be in the upper class of their society.

[pnathan]

Reading things like this makes me glad I work in a 'critical infrastructure industry'. The company I work for improves the quality of life for its customers.

[iandanforth]

I tend to view this as a sorting function. If you opt for a job that has high pay but low social value, you're probably not one of our best minds.

[johnnyjustice]

But this is interesting!