That doesn't seem relevant though - you have to judge 2011 against 1973 based on the conditions of the time.
In 500 BC I wouldn't know about vaccines so I wouldn't miss them, but that doesn't change the fact that living in a world with vaccines is a hell of a lot nicer.
That works for vaccines but what about smartphones? Do they really make the world a hell of a lot nicer, or are they just inextricably tied into our lifestyles?
