Lyman Stone answers the popular myth about foragers, that they had had much more leisure time than we do, and then argues politely but firmly with people in the comments.
When you imagine Hunter gatherer spare time, don’t imagine them laughing and telling stories around a warm fire. Imagine them shivering in the cold or soaking wet in monsoon rains with a growling stomach wondering when the hunters would get back and if they’d have anything. Yes, they had free time, and that was a CURSE, because what it actually meant was they lacked any way to productively convert their time into useful sustenance! It wasn’t leisure, it was lack!
1 comment:
Drat. There goes my retirement plan!
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