The idea that medieval peasants somehow had more free time than the average modern american still is absolute bullshit as far as I'm aware. Unless "necessary preparations for survival" count as free time just because it's not contracted work (it doesn't that's not what free time means).

[–] UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 3 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

The idea that medieval peasants somehow had more free time than the average modern american still is absolute bullshit

Paleontologists will tell you otherwise. One reason you had all those giant cathedrals going up in the Medieval Era stemmed from the enormous excess labor just wasting around in between harvest seasons.

Agricultural surplus creates free time. It's the whole reason why people opt for farming over hunter gathering.

[–] IMNOTCRAZYINSTITUTION@lemmy.world 2 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

your highness, the peasants are bored out of their minds

oh yeah? put em to work building some crazy shit before they start killing each other for a thrill

[–] UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 1 points 14 minutes ago

This but unironically. I've got a coworker who took vacation days to help build a temple up in Pennsylvania. He was incredibly proud of his contribution and happy to participate.