Comment by kulahan

You only need to get to reproduction once, regularly, for a gene to keep getting passed on.

Other mitigating factors: not eating much of the ultra-processed garbage we have today, regular high-intensity exercise, and a vastly-more interconnected community. Multigenerational homes make it easier to dump the kids off with grandma and go for a long hike with the wife or a party with the village or whatever. Etc. etc. etc.

Were safer and healthier, but I don’t think we’re necessarily happier.