Reaganism with Chelsea Follet: The Grim Old Days and our Pre-Industrial Past

On this episode of Reaganism, Dan Rothschild sits down with Chelsea Follet to discuss her new book, "The Grim Old Days: An Introduction to the Pre-Industrial Past." They explore the myths that make pre-industrial life seem simpler or more wholesome than it was. Follett describes the realities many people faced—from high child mortality, dangerous labor, and harsh domestic conditions to food scarcity, poor sleep, violent entertainment, and lonely old age. Their conversation contrasts these hardships with the gains brought by economic growth and modernity, arguing that progress has transformed ordinary lives and that today’s rapid change should be weighed against the stagnation and deprivation of the past.