The novelty of modern human existence

[timelets]

For thousands of years, planning to live beyond childbirth of an n-th child was an unthinkable pursuit for an average woman, while planning to live beyond the next war or pestilence was a foolish enterprise for an average man. Due to technological and social changes in the second half of the 20th century, the situation now is dramatically different. Long-term thinking, including e.g. wrt finance and environment, is almost required because children born today in OECD countries are routinely expected to live to 100 years. This is totally new for a vast majority of population, especially the voting majorities of the older people. Maybe that's why they have trouble getting their minds around issues like climate change or genetic modifications.