This is a good example of debunking what can be called “Chrononcentrism”, the idea that we’re living in special times (can be be – like Dickens wrote – the best of times or the worst of times.

There is a good documentary series and book by Steven Johnson “How we got to now”, that give a lot of examples of breakthrough innovations that changed the world.

Last summer I saw a poster of this sign in my hotelroom near the Grand Canyon. Imagine how much the world has changed because of this – e.g. the Harvey Girls spreading civilization across the land.