So far I have dwelled on how history reveals the limitations of historians (and other human beings). Now I am going to turn to some broad generalizations about what history reveals about our current state, particularly those of us living comfortable lives in the western world.
Historical study and a bit of travel have underscored to me how peculiar the modern western world has become. The scale of our affluence is staggering. We live much longer and more comfortably than have any other people in the history of the world. We also have tremendous freedom, are free to abandon our parents, spouses, even children--let along friends and neighbors. Though we still rely closely on others for food, clothing, and a multitude of other requirements, that reliance has been obscured and monetized. Most adults can meet the basic obligations of life pretty easily (food, clothing, shelter), and without having to rely on direct collaboration with others. This means that we can, if we choose, dispense with family and friends altogether. Most of us are free--again, if we choose to arrange our lives that way--to spend hours every day playing video games, volunteering at soup kitchens, watching porn, mastering a foreign language, collecting salt-and-pepper shakers, lobbying our elected officials, or training for tri-athalons.
From an historical point of view, this degree of freedom is bizarre.
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