Why does everyone insist on defining wealth in terms of housing?
Today, virtually everyone has air conditioning. When I was a kid, this was quite rare.
Today , everyone has at least one telephone. I can remember families sharing party lines, or even having no phone at all.
Today, most infections can be readily cured (yes, even for people without insurance!). For my grandparents this was unthinkable.
Today I can store food for a long time, and enjoy a cold drink whenever I want. A century ago, who could have that?
Today we have so much food available to us that the overriding health concern is obesity.
Today I can listen to virtually any piece of music, or view any piece of art, on the slightest whim, in the comfort of my favorite chair. That was unthinkable when I was a child.
All these things are within the economic reach of virtually everyone, at least if he's got the most basic job. Yet even a century ago they could be enjoyed only by kings, if that.
Today, virtually everyone has air conditioning. When I was a kid, this was quite rare.
Today , everyone has at least one telephone. I can remember families sharing party lines, or even having no phone at all.
Today, most infections can be readily cured (yes, even for people without insurance!). For my grandparents this was unthinkable.
Today I can store food for a long time, and enjoy a cold drink whenever I want. A century ago, who could have that?
Today we have so much food available to us that the overriding health concern is obesity.
Today I can listen to virtually any piece of music, or view any piece of art, on the slightest whim, in the comfort of my favorite chair. That was unthinkable when I was a child.
All these things are within the economic reach of virtually everyone, at least if he's got the most basic job. Yet even a century ago they could be enjoyed only by kings, if that.