The growth of human knowledge allows us to laugh at our progenitors. Here are some things we laugh at in retrospect.

In medicine, for example, the ancient Greek theory of humors, which led to the use of leeches and bleeding, is probably what killed George Washington and many millions of others.

Unpasteurized milk: not such a good idea. Doctors who did their gardening, then walked directly into the operating room unwashed to perform an operation: yuck.

And then there is uncooled food. Yes, I realize refrigerators were impossible, but iceboxes could’ve been built centuries ago in northern climes – if they knew they should do it and smart enough to collect and preserve winter ice for use in the summer. Yes you can do that without technology. Look it up.

Some species live and learn; others just live. Natural selection can operate among humans. People who die from guns they own, cars they operate, or vaccinations they refuse to get, will help improve the genetic pool for the rest of us. I would point you at some examples, but the Darwin awards are no longer given. No official announcement of their death, but it’s been three years since anything was posted on the website. It’s time for someone to call out the time of death.