Not bad at all, if you believe this historian.
My husband and I have slowly, gradually worked to base our lives around historical artifacts and ideals because — quite frankly — we love living this way. People assume the hard part of our lifestyle comes from the life itself, but using Victorian items every day brings us great joy and fulfillment. The truly hard part is dealing with other people’s reactions.
1. The irony of this story appearing on Vox.
2. I really wanted to tie this in with Vickies and Thetes, but I leave that to the reader.
3. Thanks to Michael Gibson for the pointer.
Well “bad” depends on your standard of comparison. I love the BBC production 1900 House, in which a modern family agrees to live within the technological limitations of a house in 1900 England. It seemed pretty “bad” to those used to modern conveniences. (Amazingly, shampoo seemed to have been the modern convenience most strongly missed.) the whole series is available on YouTube and is a terrific lesson in the scale technological progress since then.
I am now watching another series along the same lines: Colonial House, in which the participants simulate the living conditions of 1620 colonial America. Believe me — compared to 1620, 1900 was positively delightful! I recommend both of these series most highly.
Several points:
1) The Victorian age was “The Best Of Times” in 1880.
2) Malthusian farming really sucked.
3) They are still living in the top 10% life style. In the top percent today is really great as well.
4) They aren’t living the Dicken’s Nightmare either. I amazed to hear London had estimated 55,000 prostitutes of a city of 2 million. (About 6% of women population.)
Re: Vickies and Thetes
http://theconcourse.deadspin.com/to-hell-with-voxs-victorian-living-idiots-1729873090?utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_twitter&utm_source=deadspin_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
I had no strong feelings on the original article, but count me an anti-anti-Victorian.
If only Gawker Media and Vox would attack each other with something more than words.
But do they go to a Victorian era dentist?
White people are stupid. Seriously. I hope black folks move to the Pacific Northwest, god knows they’re needed desperately.
I suspect I’d find the Victorian couple insufferable in person but it gives me a little pleasure just knowing they’re out there. It’s a good thing to live in a culture that enables and tolerates such experiments in self-realization. ‘Shine on you crazy diamonds’ and all that.