If you are talking about in terms of GDP then of course everyone is richer in material ways than they were in the 19th century. That isn't debated. But I do not think people are all richer in social ways. We lost community, we lost purpose, we lost the social fabric. We gained material wealth.
And "we" is subjective. I'm speaking of humanity as a whole, not Americans or Europeans or any specific demographic. While more people have air conditioning and other comforts it is also true that people have smaller families, have to work longer hours, have more complex lives.
If you are talking about in terms of GDP then of course everyone is richer in material ways than they were in the 19th century. That isn't debated. But I do not think people are all richer in social ways. We lost community, we lost purpose, we lost the social fabric. We gained material wealth.
And "we" is subjective. I'm speaking of humanity as a whole, not Americans or Europeans or any specific demographic. While more people have air conditioning and other comforts it is also true that people have smaller families, have to work longer hours, have more complex lives.
Very true.