Re: The joy of actual numbers, was Democracy

On Thu, 7 Nov 2024 21:27:25 -0000 (UTC), Rich wrote:

In comp.os.linux.misc D <nospam@example.net> wrote:

Last, but not least, what is work?  I'm sure that if you measure
_effective_ work, you'll find the difference between a medieval peasant
and a modern american far smaller, when coffee breaks, smoking breaks,
vacations, are deducted.

 
There is also a huge difference between 8hrs on a computer shuffling
electronic paper back and forth vs. 8hrs tending a farm's fields and
animals because those very fields and animals are all that stand between
you and starvation come the middle of Februrary when snow and ice
abound, but little plant life grows.
 
Even modern jobs that are considered "manual labor" by today's standards
in the US are quite different vs.  the mideval peasant who's very
survival into next summer depends upon being able to squeeze, and
preserve, enough food to survive through the long cold winter.
 
Now, if you mean "time spent actually doing work", well the pessant
likely spent more time actually doing "work".

Possibly but you have to take into account the agrarian cycle. There are
bursts of activity like plowing and planting when the peasant works from
can see to can't see. When the seeds are in the ground there isn't much to
do.

Historically that's why summertime was favored for war. Freezing to death
outside of Stalingrad or getting bogged down in the springtime mud is a
new twist. A good war is scheduled between the time the crops are planted
and when they are ready for harvest.

Harvest is another one of those work yourself ragged events. You need to
get the crops in, processed, and stored before bad weather.

After harvest you cross your fingers you have enough food for yourself and
the animals as well as firewood, and plan for a few months of downtime to
repair tack and other equipment, tell stories, and so forth.

Hunters and gatherers also had their cycles. A herring or salmon run isn't
like the grocery store being open 24/7/365, nor are there always berries
in the produce section, or fresh meat.

One indicator for me among the Native Americans is the decorative arts.
Prior to the whites and their beads similar work was done by dyeing and
folding porcupine quills. Other decorations might involve harvesting
mussel shells, drilling them, and grinding them down into bangles. Even
decorative designs on pottery is above the utilitarian needs of people
living hand to mouth.