Insert the word "perceived" into that sentence and none of that matters.
Also, ignoring for the sake of argument whether this is actually true, there are numerous possible caveats:
- Living standards could be better now, but also more fragile than at any time in history.
- Average living standards could be high, but with growing extremes and a shrinking middle.
- Living standards in a historical perspective are 100% irrelevant to someone who is currently living half the lifestyle they did five years ago because their industry dried up and they have to serve food for a living.
Also, ignoring for the sake of argument whether this is actually true, there are numerous possible caveats:
- Living standards could be better now, but also more fragile than at any time in history.
- Average living standards could be high, but with growing extremes and a shrinking middle.
- Living standards in a historical perspective are 100% irrelevant to someone who is currently living half the lifestyle they did five years ago because their industry dried up and they have to serve food for a living.
- etc.