The more I read about ancient and medieval engineering the less I like the alternative fiction trope of "what if X had already invented X back then?"
Because if it could be invented, it probably had been. But it wasn't used.
If you rock up to a Roman senator and say "we could use enough firewood to keep your home heated for a year - and it'll do the work of ten extra slaves!!"
He'll just say "But then I'll get ten extra slaves."
Loukas (They/Them) 🏳️⚧️ /
npub132…zu38w
2023-07-08 09:51:35
Author Public Key
npub1324pvu8sclj7pqwfen2c022dt68cehll5h7m4pxwcsfe0xs5473qqzu38wPublished at
2023-07-08 09:51:35Event JSON
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"content": "The more I read about ancient and medieval engineering the less I like the alternative fiction trope of \"what if X had already invented X back then?\"\n\nBecause if it could be invented, it probably had been. But it wasn't used.\n\nIf you rock up to a Roman senator and say \"we could use enough firewood to keep your home heated for a year - and it'll do the work of ten extra slaves!!\"\n\nHe'll just say \"But then I'll get ten extra slaves.\"",
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