I never know what to say here

[revmacian]

I certainly would not have bet my life in Scotland of the 1740's on your theory. Neither would I bet my life on your theory in parts of this world today either! But its a nice idea!

I believe the only problem I would have is growing my own coffee beans!

[FossilHunter]

Therein is the point I am attempting to make. Who decides who "matters" and why give that much power away so easily? To my mind I am the only one who decides whether or not I matter. I respect the opinions of others, but I won't give opinion enough power to negatively affect me. If our lives were based on the approval/praise of others then we're only doing as good as we're being treated. Imagine riding a large roller coaster in pitch dark never knowing when the next steep downhill grade will come.

I'm sure I would have done fine in 1740. I wouldn't have had many friends and I wouldn't have been popular, but my value is not based on accolade.

I don’t thinks it’s an issue of popularity. Those times were hard, even for the wealthy. Modern medicine and hygiene were not understood, the green revolution of agriculture was 200 years away. Starvation and death from disease were very common and it was only a little better for the wealthy as they had access to food and warmth but not antibiotics, vaccinations, or what we would call proper pharmaceuticals.

I think that was the gist of what the others were saying.

[Jock Scot]

I don’t thinks it’s an issue of popularity. Those times were hard, even for the wealthy. Modern medicine and hygiene were not understood, the green revolution of agriculture was 200 years away. Starvation and death from disease were very common and it was only a little better for the wealthy as they had access to food and warmth but not antibiotics, vaccinations, or what we would call proper pharmaceuticals.

I think that was the gist of what the others were saying.

Exactly so.

[revmacian]

I don’t thinks it’s an issue of popularity. Those times were hard, even for the wealthy. Modern medicine and hygiene were not understood, the green revolution of agriculture was 200 years away. Starvation and death from disease were very common and it was only a little better for the wealthy as they had access to food and warmth but not antibiotics, vaccinations, or what we would call proper pharmaceuticals.

I think that was the gist of what the others were saying.

Ah, ok.. it appears I misunderstood some posts. My apologies to all.

[OC Richard]

At risk of going off down an historical rabbit hole, whilst one can change ones social status more easily today, it was much more difficult in the past.

Yes a historical rabbit-hole indeed! By strange coincidence earlier today I was reading this passage:

Nero sent his freedman secretary Polyclitus to Britain to reconcile the Governor and the Procurator...trailing an enormous entourage through Gaul, Polyclitus arrived and assessed the situation, to the astonishment of the Britons, who did not understand how or why an ex-slave should be able to wield such power.

Different times for sure! I wonder if that sort of Roman social mobility was part of Lew Wallace's inspiration.

[COScotsman]

from Colorado!

[Grump]

welcome from Mount Brydges Ontario Canader.. Still struggling with the English language as it were.