"The majority of historical periods did not look upon their own time as superior to preceding ages. On the contrary, the most useful thing has been for men to dream of better times in a vague past, of a fuller existence; of a 'golden age,' as those taught by Greece and Rome have it; the Alcheringa of the Australian bushmen."
--Jose Ortega y Gasset, The Revolt of the Masses, 1930

As opposed to us who say "it don't get any better than this."

In truth, it is hard to look back fondly on a previous historical period when you are completely ignorant of history.