4. We’re all so 17th Century

The 17th century serves as a mirror for contemporary societal upheavals, characterized by plague, political polarization, and the disruptive influence of new media. Just as the printing press fueled inflammatory pamphlets and religious factionalism, modern digital platforms exacerbate current divisions, creating a society struggling to manage an explosion of information. Historical parallels extend to the climate-driven instability of the Little Ice Age, which coincided with global revolutions and civil wars, mirroring modern anxieties regarding environmental change. While current conditions—such as the COVID-19 pandemic and political standoffs—often feel unprecedented, they lack the lethal scale of the 1640s civil wars or the 1665 plague that decimated London’s population. Ultimately, the 17th century remains a foundational battleground for modern political identities, with ongoing debates over national unity and dissent tracing their roots back to the conflicts between Roundheads and Cavaliers.