That’s an interesting question. Many people are answering the question “Would people from 150 years ago think the quality of life is better” instead of “Would they think modern people are weaker.”

I think that depends on how you define “weak” or “strong.” Physically, I think there is less manual labor needed, so in general people from the past may look at us as weaker. The understanding of mental health and resilience is lesser in the past, but if conveyed in relative terms, I do think they would see how more resilient we need to generally be to things now like doom scrolling and algorithms that we are exposed to in the present.

Humans are pretty adaptable. Since we generally have more access to resources now, I would argue modernity has the side effect of hindering our sense of agency. Likewise, we are adapting different “strengths” based on the challenges we get in the present.

Yes they would think we were softies.

I even see it just in my families immediate generations. My grandfather rode his bike everywhere, and never owned a car. He was fit. He got hit by a car once and waited at the hospital, after a few hours he said screw it, and cycled home.

For me growing up most families had one car, which the working parent drove, so if you needed to get to a friends house or anywhere it was by foot or by bike if it was outside of town. Or waiting several hours at a place for a ride. Being further from home meant you had to sometimes get creative for food. Friend and I once sharpened sticks and spearfished and cooked lunch over a dried stick fire rather than walk all the way back home.

My adult kids are hardworking individuals but they grew up with more modern convenience of 2 cars, uber, functioning bus system, food delivery. If their car or phone app broke, I think they would find walking or biking somewhere a deterrent to following through, especially if it was raining.

And there is the teen generation who you hear instantly complain “oh my gawd, my uber is like 1 minute late, like I have been standing here sooo long” LOL And a parent suggesting they walk leads to “oh my gawduh, then I will be all sweaty!”

That teen is never spearfishing because the walk home is too far. If their phone dies (along with payment app) they will probably have a breakdown/ feel stranded. My grandfather would never be able to fathom somebody being so unreliant on themselves let alone Somebody from 150 years ago seeing an able bodied teen not be able to use their legs.

would a “standard” commoner from back then laugh at how ‘soft’ our world has become from their point of view?

No, they’d either want the same or they’d think we’re evil magicians and want to burn us at the stake. Who tf wants more infant mortality (except for US Republicans and their ilk).

“Ah yes, dying in childbirth really builds character!”

“Contracting polio really put hair on my son’s chest and made him into the man he is today!”

“I’m so glad I can look forward to a life of hard physical labor and and death at 40. Not like those future weaklings who might survive into their 70s and beyond.”

“Oh, boy. Chattel slavery has been great for us. The family that picks cotton together, sticks together … until our owners decide to sell us off.”

Want the honest truth? Except for our current politics they would have been amazed, astounded, and hopeful for thr future. Medicine, science, technology have all made quantum leaps. Quality of life has to. They would be happy we don’t have to kill each other for resources.

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What? Soft? Do you think they would mock us for having industrialised society with food and medicines and public schools and well educated people and jobs that don’t break your body at the age of 35? Why would they do that? Would you look into the future and mock them for having a cure for cancer and HIV and Alzheimer’s and better health and foods and even more comfortable living and transport and jobs and entertainment?

I’m afraid we’re accumulating genetic defects and weaknesses because we’re not allowing them to be weeded out anymore.

Back in the day the peasant knew his station in life and he would fight for his interest when the time comes.

Modern pedon is a Grade A bootlicker that thinks he is part of the club.

It is a disgusting, pathological behaviour and nothing will change until we hit a critical mass of freedom enjoyers willing to do proper opposition to the regime oppression of the workers.