Medieval Peasant vs Industrial Revolution Factory Worker

[Zordennox]

A worker. I'd achieve class consciousness and organise the proletariat to overthrow the decadent bourgeoisie.

Before the Industrial Revolution, the bourgeoisie wasn't even in existence. Decadence and degeneracy were non-existent prior to the French Revolution and the Industrial Revolution.

[Bear Stearns]

Hard to say. A Medieval peasant lives a better life than a Victorian pauper. But Victorian bourgeois lived much better than Medieval nobles.

That being said, for the factory worker, if you can make it to the 1890s, you'd more or less be able to live a modern life.

[Zordennox]

Factory worker, because I'll have better chances as a revolutionary. There aren't really any real examples of medieval peasants successfully rising up to overthrow the lords...

That's because medieval peasants had adequate living standards, and were well taken care of by their lords despite what we are told these days. The ancients had a very different mindset and philosophy than the moderns. Today, we are selfish and individualistic - without honor.

[Novus America]

Factory worker, because I'll have better chances as a revolutionary. There aren't really any real examples of medieval peasants successfully rising up to overthrow the lords...

That's because medieval peasants had adequate living standards, and were well taken care of by their lords despite what we are told these days. The ancients had a very different mindset and philosophy than the moderns. Today, we are selfish and individualistic - without honor.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peasants'_Revolt
Peasant revolts were not uncommon.
Many lords were oppressive and corrupt.
Also it was quite common for the wealthy to have mistresses.

You view of the time is quite incorrect.
Sure it was not always all bad. But it certainly was not good.

[El-Amin Caliphate]

1: Why only in Europe? And for the Industrial option, why only London?
2: You can't "keep your present personality and predispositions" and simultaneously "be swayed/heavily influenced by the spirit and attitudes of the day". The former is influenced by the latter.

Anyways, no, I'm choosing neither. Like staying Muslim 1st of all, and I like my life as it is now.

[Heloin]

Factory worker, because I'll have better chances as a revolutionary. There aren't really any real examples of medieval peasants successfully rising up to overthrow the lords...

That's because medieval peasants had adequate living standards, and were well taken care of by their lords despite what we are told these days. The ancients had a very different mindset and philosophy than the moderns. Today, we are selfish and individualistic - without honor.

The ancients thought putting penis statues in rivers made the harvest better.

[El-Amin Caliphate]

I'd die in infancy in the 13th century.

Oh crap I forgot about that! I would die in infancy as well!

[Kazarogkai]

working 8 hours a day 6 days a week, Sunday was always off, not counting saints days sounds a heck of a lot better than 15 hours a day sometimes up to 7 days a week in a smoggy disease ridden hellhole like 19th century London. Just take a look at the average life expectancy of a rural worker(averaged about 35) compared to an urban worker(about 15 last I checked) and that gives you a pretty good idea of whats up. Cities were practically all hellscapes up until roughly the modern era and to put It simply areas that were best to avoid except for the most desperately poor(can't get work as a field hand) or wealthiest/politically connected(can afford to live in nicer neighborhoods). This is especially the case if I get to be a free peasant and hence all I'm required to do is pay some rent every once in a while which is nice.
'
Just my thoughts.

[Kazarogkai]

You will grow up again (start a completely new life as a baby, education, if provided, included) assigned to a random family

you would learn to speak from those who raise you

you would retain your personality (to the extent that its influenced by biology) but you would be subject to the socialisation of the time

I'd die in infancy in the 13th century. Like most. Especially with modern biology, probably losing quite a few resistances to diseases of back then (and also gaining a few).

You would probably die of infancy in the 19th century took to be quite honest. Vaccines still weren't all that prevalent so disease was roughly as bad. Arguably more so since cities up until modern times were pandemic havens.

[The New California Republic]

A worker. I'd achieve class consciousness and organise the proletariat to overthrow the decadent bourgeoisie.

Before the Industrial Revolution, the bourgeoisie wasn't even in existence. Decadence and degeneracy were non-existent prior to the French Revolution and the Industrial Revolution.

I'd also likely be dead from old age in my 30s. No thanks.

[Heloin]

working 8 hours a day 6 days a week, Sunday was always off, not counting saints days sounds a heck of a lot better than 15 hours a day sometimes up to 7 days a week in a smoggy disease ridden hellhole like 19th century London. Just take a look at the average life expectancy of a rural worker(averaged about 35) compared to an urban worker(about 15 last I checked) and that gives you a pretty good idea of whats up. Cities were practically all hellscapes up until roughly the modern era and to put It simply areas that were best to avoid except for the most desperately poor(can't get work as a field hand) or wealthiest/politically connected(can afford to live in nicer neighborhoods). This is especially the case if I get to be a free peasant and hence all I'm required to do is pay some rent every once in a while which is nice.
'
Just my thoughts.

Average life spans are a tricky thing, greatly brought done by the insane childhood death rate in the pre-modern world. Average lifespan for both (assuming you live past 13) is about between about 30 and 40. Though for a factory worker your life can considerably improve depending on which point of the industrial revolution your existing in. As a peasant your life remains about equally not that great unless you luck into some very good areas, and since IM choose the 13th century you get very few good places. In both cases avoid drinking the water.

[Novus America]

I'd die in infancy in the 13th century. Like most. Especially with modern biology, probably losing quite a few resistances to diseases of back then (and also gaining a few).

You would probably die of infancy in the 19th century took to be quite honest. Vaccines still weren't all that prevalent so disease was roughly as bad. Arguably more so since cities up until modern times were pandemic havens.

Well life expectancy remained low in the first half of the 1800s but increased rapidly in the second half. So a lot depends on when in the 1800s we are talking. 1830 (shudders) or 1890 (MUCH better).

The key thing to note is living standards massively improved from about 1860 to 1900.

[Rea]

Factory worker. More social mobility (I can look for another line of work if so inclined) plus higher chance of literacy and more awareness of global opportunities. I can save up my wages and potentially emigrate to the overseas colonies or the United States as well, thereby increasing my social mobility.

[El-Amin Caliphate]

I'd die in infancy in the 13th century. Like most. Especially with modern biology, probably losing quite a few resistances to diseases of back then (and also gaining a few).

Let's say you didn't. Which would you prefer?

Or maybe... alternatively... let's run with that. You die at childbirth. Is that really so bad though? I mean, "being alive" means you're either on a farm or working in the factories for life. How much would you inherently value your life if you had to deal with a lose-lose?

You do raise a good point. I'd go to Jannah in a snap so that's a plus.

Wait I chose wrong and meant to select factory worker.

Comrade, I think we all know what a real worker would do to fix this wrongness.

That....looks awesome

[Kazarogkai]

Average life spans are a tricky thing, greatly brought done by the insane childhood death rate in the pre-modern world. Average lifespan for both (assuming you live past 13) is about between about 30 and 40. Though for a factory worker your life can considerably improve depending on which point of the industrial revolution your existing in. As a peasant your life remains about equally not that great unless you luck into some very good areas, and since IM choose the 13th century you get very few good places. In both cases avoid drinking the water.

Ehh based on some light reading if you made to the age of say 20 you could probably expect to live into your 50s or so on average, assuming no major wars or the like, if your a peasant while into your 60s if you were a noble depending on region. In Arabia for example life expectancy was about 69 years for nobles which ain't so bad.

But you are completely right infant and child mortality really dragged things down dramatically due mostly to disease. Things like small pox and malaria made childhood a rather dicey affair. Thats not even taking into account maternal mortality rates. Thankfully i'm not a woman. Yay.

[Free Arabian Nation]

Industrial Revolution Factory Worker.

I'd probably die as an infant in the Peasant Life and if I work hard enough I could possibly move to America and enjoy the Victorian Era America/Roaring 20's if I am lucky enough, meaning I could live life on the frontier and/or enjoy Jazz while it's still alive.

Or I could do a John Snow and become a successful doctor who saved millions of lives and modernized the city.

Also, guns. Guns are nice.

[The Blaatschapen]

Before the Industrial Revolution, the bourgeoisie wasn't even in existence. Decadence and degeneracy were non-existent prior to the French Revolution and the Industrial Revolution.

I'd also likely be dead from old age in my 30s. No thanks.

Actually, if you manage to survive infancy, you can get somewhat older.

Not often 70s or so, but 50s are definitely doable.

Unless you're a woman, then when giving birth you run a high risk of dying.

[Skyhooked]

Well, the only thing I know for sure, that I am screwed if go both ways.

Peasant's life has many shitty thingies, such as droughts, cattle rustlin' bandits, deadly diseases (and the only medicines are prayers and some shitty herbs), also feudal lords can be pretty nasty... they may kill me for a good laugh, or send to some war over some petty little shit. Still, if the year's good, fields can feed ya' nicely, and villages are not as risky as cities in terms of epidemics.

Factory may look a bit tempting in this situation. It's pretty cozy, pleassant, warm place, where mechanisms emit pleasant sounds, and your bozz pays you a living wage and there ain't no knights in shinin' armor, who wanna kill ya' cuz they can. Except... only the last part is true.

Due to a severe unemployment and total absense of regulations, workers were regarded by greedy factory owners as mere spare parts, who required only a bit of money once a month and nothing else. No safety, no conditions, only work for 12-16 hours a day in a sweatshop, with no vacations, sick days and any rest at all. All work no play... Work starts in the childhood, just like in peasant's life. (Child labor was legal and widespread... cause a kid needs only half of a payment).

In both situations, if my health gets damaged, my life gonna become even more short and miserable. Besides, I am an aspie, and my personality gets copied... so... guess this reincarnation will be a punishment for my sins and hedonism. (Why I didn't start worshipping Hindu gods?)

I guess, I'll go with the peasant. It's just a slightly less shitty choice. At least I can grow my own food, take a small break anytime during work, coal dust won't clog my lungs, and if the situation goes totally sour, I have more chances to fight off a knight or two with my piitchfork, rather than Pinkerton's gunners with a wrench.

So fetch me the pitchfork and hoe! Or... wrench? Becasue opportunities... (Sound's more like a carrot on a fishing rod if ya' ask me. Have more chances winning a lottery.)

[The New California Republic]

I'd also likely be dead from old age in my 30s. No thanks.

Actually, if you manage to survive infancy, you can get somewhat older.

Not often 70s or so, but 50s are definitely doable.

Unless you're a woman, then when giving birth you run a high risk of dying.

I'll take my chances as a worker.

[Internationalist Bastard]

Peasant
I’d get way to caught up I the union movement and die

[The Blaatschapen]

Well, the only thing I know for sure, that I am screwed if go both ways.

Peasant's life has many shitty thingies, such as droughts, cattle rustlin' bandits, deadly diseases (and the only medicines are prayers and some shitty herbs), also feudal lords can be pretty nasty... they may kill me for a good laugh, or send to some war over some petty little shit. Still, if the year's good, fields can feed ya' nicely, and villages are not as risky as cities in terms of epidemics.

Factory may look a bit tempting in this situation. It's pretty cozy, pleassant, warm place, where mechanisms emit pleasant sounds, and your bozz pays you a living wage and there ain't no knights in shinin' armor, who wanna kill ya' cuz they can. Except... only the last part is true.

Due to a severe unemployment and total absense of regulations, workers were regarded by greedy factory owners as mere spare parts, who required only a bit of money once a month and nothing else. No safety, no conditions, only work for 12-16 hours a day in a sweatshop, with no vacations, sick days and any rest at all. All work no play... Work starts in the childhood, just like in peasant's life. (Child labor was legal and widespread... cause a kid needs only half of a payment).

In both situations, if my health gets damaged, my life gonna become even more short and miserable. Besides, I am an aspie, and my personality gets copied... so... guess this reincarnation will be a punishment for my sins and hedonism. (Why I didn't start worshipping Hindu gods?)

Early 14th century,
I guess, I'll go with the peasant. It's just a slightly less shitty choice. At least I can grow my own food, take a small break anytime during work, coal dust won't clog my lungs, and if the situation goes totally sour, I have more chances to fight off a knight or two with my piitchfork, rather than Pinkerton's gunners with a wrench.

So fetch me the pitchfork and hoe!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of ... lden_Spurs there you go

[Greater Westralia]

Conditions only improved some based on so many dying. There pay went up but that was about it.
Nothing compared to the improvements between 1860 and 1960.
Compare the difference between 1200 and 1400 with the difference between 1800 and 2000.

It is not even remotely close.

And medieval cities were nasty. The streets were literally covered in shit.
Waste disposal was very lacking. Hence why they were prone to such bad disease outbreaks in the first place.

Their pay didn't just increase, so did their rights. There's a reason why surnames were being used by the 14th century.

And again, medieval cities were not perpetual disease engines. Some towns (particularly London with its bridge) had public toilets, and most towns had servants shoveling shit from the road to be disposed at drains. Alternatively, they used pigs to eat scraps. And most cities had forms of urban planning, which divided the streets based on profession and status (these areas were particularly looked after to encourage trade or because owners had money).

I'm not denying that medieval cities were more prone to disease and fire, but the simplistic view that they were hellholes is deeply flawed. I recommend you read The Time Traveller's Guide to Medieval England by Ian Mortimer, or 1000 for an earlier view of medieval England.

[Liriena]

Peasant, of course. I'd get to LARP as a Hobbit, as Tolkien intended.

[The New California Republic]

Peasant, of course. I'd get to LARP as a Hobbit, as Tolkien intended.

Wouldn't you prefer to LARP as a class conscious proletarian revolutionary instead?

[Liriena]

Peasant, of course. I'd get to LARP as a Hobbit, as Tolkien intended.

Wouldn't you prefer to LARP as a class conscious proletarian revolutionary instead?

Nah. Peasants had better parties.