What would people in the 18th century think of us?

[C.E. Evans]

"So this is 2014? Nice place, all sorts of magical things everywhere--including strange horseless carriages and even flying machines--but the people are kind of rubbish. All they do is walk around talking to invisible people and staring at little glowing boxes in their hands. Can't say I'm impressed with the lot of them.."

 

[FPAlpha]

I think first they'd be delighted by our medical advances. Not having to die from appendicitis or any normal infection would be a huge bonus.

Instant communication and news would be another thing they'd surely appreciate as well as the (for us) small amenities like dish and clothes washers (you only have to put in the stuff into these machines, throw in some soap in powder form and press this button???) etc.

What i think they would have a problem is how fast life has gotten and how on the one hand we can and are required to do so much work but then waste our time talking about basically nothing over the internet.

However i believe they'd find that human nature basically hasn't changed much.. we might have progressed socially but we still have our share of bigots, assholes, greedy bastards and on the other side free thinkers, tolerance and just wanting to make it in life.

If they have been open minded they will understand that our devices are not magic but are the result of scientific progress using principles that were just not discovered 300 years ago. If they're not dumb all they would need are a couple of years of modern schooling (if my dad can learn to use a computer after 50+ years without one and in the span of 5 years start to facebook and skype all over the place so can anyone) to catch up with science and to learn how modern technology works. The rest is experience for which there is no shortcut but has to come at its own pace.

 

[scotpens]

Indoor plumbing had existed in ancient Greece and Rome and other civilizations.

Indeed. However, the concept of privacy hadn't quite taken hold yet.

 

[trekkiedane]

Indoor plumbing had existed in ancient Greece and Rome and other civilizations.

Indeed. However, the concept of privacy hadn't quite taken hold yet.

Plus: We still don't know if the 'sponge on a stick'-cleaning devices used in those places were discardable or re-useable...

 

[Bisz]

Indoor plumbing had existed in ancient Greece and Rome and other civilizations.

Indeed. However, the concept of privacy hadn't quite taken hold yet.

I don't see your point

 

[Pondwater]

Their first thoughts?

"This place doesn't smell bad! but wow are the people huge"

And lazy.

 

[publiusr]

They would probably wonder how to make a living.

I have this image in my head about Franklin, repeating his line about whoever gives up liberty--etc., meeting up with Oppenheimer's quote from the 'Gita:

Behold I am become Death, destroyer of Worlds