This is why liberals claim capitalism isn't a specific material circumstance, but an abstract set of values, or simply when trade exists. They want to make it seem like capitalism is an intractable part of human existence that's existed for as long as we have. One time I was talking to a guy who didn't seem to be joking who told me capitalism began when the universe did, because chemicals trade electrons.

People in this thread: BUT WHAT ABOUT LIFE EXPECTANCY?!?!

Bro you really want to argue life expectancy in favour of the ideology that argues whether curing a patient is makes business sense?

Your long life expectancy is thanks to science, which has existed for a far greater percentage of human history. To argue it's because of capitalism is dumb as hell.

Also life expectancy took a nosedive when the Soviet Union fell. Wonder why.

For the people who are dunking on this by saying that historically things have been fucked up:

I think the point of the tweet is that systemic development doesn't stop at capitalism.

I'm pretty sure lots of educated people during the feudal era were saying that it was the best system available and at least they were dying less often than the Romans.