Fiat Man™️ constantly reassured himself that “the world is better now than it ever has been before!” This has become a sort of mantra to counter the obvious reality that something is seriously rotten in our modern fiat society.

Examples of eras in history that weren’t so bad as Reddit historians would have you believe:

The Gilded Age of America (1877 to 1900), when there was no income tax, no Federal Reserve, no oppressive regulations, and ample opportunities to start a business or homestead out west.

The Pax Romana (27 BC to 180 AD), when peace, prosperity, and order spread through the Roman Empire.

Nomadic hunter-gatherer era (12000 BC to 250000 BC), which was the real world Garden of Eden, with limitless nature and adventure.