Story
To be sure, modern life has its challenges, and they are far from trivial. But it’s easy to forget that life on earth has much improved in the last few millennia. So much so that many modern human live better than the kings and queens of yore.
Take Louis the XIV for example, France’s King who lived 1638-1715. When Gurudeva and his Innersearchers visited his royal residence, the Palace of Versailles, we were first struck by the opulence and stunning architecture. But as his life was described, we learned he lifed without many of today’s amenities. The King used an outhouse, and bathed from a bowl that held about two gallons of water. His life was harsh in many ways, compared to ours today.
In reflections of gratitude, we evolved a list of the King’s austerities, a list that would equally apply to others of his era—Russia’s Peter the Great, China’s Qing Emperor, Leopold I of Rome, the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. Powerful men, the most powerful on earth in those days, and yet life was rugged for them (and a hundred times more rugged for their subjects)
This made us feel immensely thankful for our life. So we carried that simple discovery further, and made a list of how, today, we all live better than the kings and queens of yesteryear. Enjoy
A List for Modernday Kings and Queens
On-demand transportation
The king summoned horses and carriages and waited. We summon a car in minutes that arrives clean, heated, and fast, day or night. If he traveled to England, it was a long and difficult journey taking 5-10 days by horse carriage and ferry. Today we can fly there in 3 hours, in comfort no less! Watching the latest movie and eating lunch brought to our seat.
Instant sanitation
Louis XIV used chamber pots and an outhouse. We have private flush toilets, hot showers, running water, sewage systems, and sanitation that would have seemed miraculous.
Medical care
A toothache could kill a king, and there was no Novocain. We now have drills to remove decay, antibiotics, anesthesia, health enabling drugs, imaging, emergency surgery, and pain relief on demand.
Hot water day and night
Royal baths required servants, fires, and time. We turn a handle and have endless hot water instantly. Nevermind a shower with water pressure.
Climate control
Versailles was freezing in winter and stifling in summer. the palace was either too cold or too hot. We maintain precise indoor temperatures year-round with heating and air conditioning. Not to mention we on Kauai seldom gets above 85 or below 65.
Lighting
The palace relied on candles and oil lamps. We have bright, safe, adjustable lighting at any hour with no smoke or fire risk. And no cleaning up melted wax.
Entertainment
The king hosted musicians and performers at great expense and effort. We summon music, films, lectures, and performances from every culture instantly. YouTube alone gives us access to five billion videos!
Information access
Louis XIV relied on courtiers and messengers. We access the sum of human knowledge instantly, translated, searchable, and up to date—all on our private phone. And we can command an AI assistant to do all kinds of chores for us.
Communication
Royal letters took days or weeks. We send swift messages and speak face to face across continents in real time.
Food variety and freshness
Royal cuisine was rich but repetitive and seasonal. We eat foods from every climate and culture any day of the year. We can even have it delivered to our door. Mexican tonight, Chinese tomorrow, Indian the day after. And kept safe and fresh with refrigeration.
I’m not at all sure “most” people on earth have it this good. Here, it’s so easy to forget about the rest of the world.