In a recent episode of Guy Kawasaki’s “Remarkable People” podcast, Seth Godin made a bold claim. He simply said:
“If you have a roof over your head and enough time to listen to a podcast, you’re one of the richest people who ever lived, even if you’re in debt.”
It seems a bit zany at first, but he’s absolutely right. It’s easy to think back to the horrible conditions thousands of years ago and how much better things are today, but let’s go more recently to one of the richest Americans of all time: John D. Rockefeller.
Rockefeller had enough money to afford every luxury, but what was that really worth just 100 years ago? He had some amazing homes, but:
- It could take days (or even weeks) to travel from his New York home to anywhere far away.
- He may have had air conditioning and semi-reliable heat at home, but most places that he visited (and the vehicles to get there) didn’t.
- For most of his life there was no radio, much less TV or other entertainment.
- While traveling, even in a luxury limo, breakdowns were likely and with no mobile phones it could become a pretty big deal.
- Most food that we enjoy, outside of seasonal staples, would be tough to acquire.
- Medical and dental care was very painful and dangerous.
The watch on your hand (or on your phone) is far more accurate than anything Rockefeller had. You can go take a hot shower or bath any time you’d like. You’d be lacking some things, like servants, but modern appliances take most of that work out.
Things are not perfect, wealth distribution is currently very problematic, and we all have stress and challenges. However, it’s helpful to remember that we literally have it better than 99% of humans that have ever lived.
