[acherontia]

An interesting debate.

As regards my personal survival I was clever enough not to be blue as I was ABnegative as well as Mum! LOL
I may not have been as shortsighted in the past because, as a child, I would not have had an inept optician who didn't know how to prevent my eyes rapidly worsening - she kept bringing my vision up to perfect. So much for the 60s!

Also - what we must remember here is that all is relative. In another few 100 years time (if we're still here) they will no doubt wonder how on earth we survived in such primitive conditions. Let's face it - we're not that much advanced while we can still allow some of the things that go on in this world. I'm sure it's a case of 'not knowing any different' and trying to see past the so called 'benefits' we have and perhaps appreciate the simpler things.

Back in the 'bad old days' (ie the medieval age) there was much more leisure time. I'm sure that people groaned and moaned about the encumbrances of circumstances pretty much the way we do now. For 'Squire/King substitute 'Mps/Bankers'.
I think that we are often fed a consistent diet of 'aren't we lucky nowadays' in order to make us thankful and compliant. The material objects that we are taught to desire not only ensure our financial contribution to society but they also make slaves of us just as much as the need for food used to.
As far as female standing is concerned - there were probably more remnants and influences of the old religion in those days - possibly counteracting the put downs that the romans and church enforced on us.
The village wisewomen had great standing - before they burnt them all and the doctors started experimenting with their own theories.

Just another perspective I suppose?

You are very 'fortunate' Tufftie - even when I stand on top of Whitbarrow Scar in the S Lakes I can still hear the faint hum of traffic.

Acherontia