Slightly Interesting Views On Ponder-Worthy Philosophical Prompts

Would you be more successful today or in the past?

15. "Is it more or less difficult to be successful in the modern world than it was in the past (10, 50, 100, or 1,000 years ago)?"

Ibis: The answer to this question truly depends on a variety of factors. Here are the three main things that I think have affected the wealth and success of people throughout history:

1. Gender

2. Race

3. Mental State

Being a white female with an interesting mental state I daresay that, although I feel like I might have fit in better in the olden days, I will probably be the most successful in today's world. Put me in an old time America and I would be expected to perform tasks reserved for women, such as being the caretaker of my household(or other homes).

Although back in the day less things had been discovered and people were pretty technologically lacking(compared to today), you would have to think of all the hardship and modern things that cease to exist, making it harder for you to work and reach your full potential. Think of what George Washington could have done with today's technologies; he would have had a field day!

Being born and raised in earlier times would also have been difficult because of how hard it was to succeed economically/status-wise(especially earlier on or in places with varying forms of Caste systems). For some, if they were born in poverty they would stay in poverty, while today(in the U.S.), you can be born into poverty, work hard, and become some sort of esteemed millionaire. 

Although today's world is not the best, I believe it offers the most gratifying and diverse opportunities of success for those who work hard and try their best to raise the normal standards. 

Risu: Well isn't this an interesting question. As someone who enjoys history I'm glad I can finally go on a rant about it XD

In my personal opinion, I think it would be easier for us to be successful in the times of Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire (assuming that it was just us as individuals or as small groups). There's a few reasons for that:

1) Most women of the time were treated as citizens equal to men (depending on the city-state) so the girls wouldn't have to worry about being shut up in the home with no rights

2) Due to 'selective breeding' in the human race, the average looking human today would be regarded as one of the most beautiful people in the world at this time in history

3) We're already immune to their germs and diseases, we just have to be sure we don't kill them with our 'new' germs (they way Native Americans died when Europeans came to 'The New World')

4) The average human is far better educated than many scholars of the time. We know algebra, how to find the volume of things, how to create buildings that won't fall. We could be viewed as top scholars of the era.

5) If all else fails you could join the army and become a famous general. With modern war tactics it would be ridiculously easy to out plan you enemy. Infiltrating as a spy? What kid in America hasn't seen at least one spy movie?

6) With everything we know about our own time period we could easily begin a farm and use simple machines to make the work much easier.

This time seems so simple, there are many different paths you could take. If you thoroughly studied this time era you could simply go back and make 'predictions of the future'. After this you would be hailed as an all knowing God. You could have people sing your praises for completing many successful military campaigns. Maybe become an amazing artisan with the knowledge of linear designs and modern architecture. If put in the right spot and the right time period this could be a very successful endeavor to embark upon.