the infant feels worse off after leaving the womb, the adult feels worse off after puberty, and so on.
This is a minor quibble, but—the thing about the babies is speculation, since nobody really remembers how happy they might have been in the womb. My babies showed some evidence of discomfort in the cramped quarters of the womb (a lot of kicking, especially toward the end), and they displayed a lot of pleasure in things like nursing and cuddling and being played with once they got out into the world. If I had to guess I would say they were happier after birth.
For the puberty thing, I know that I felt much, much better once I was out of adolescence. So experiences vary.
Right, I think I misworded it (and it could be the point is totally wrong)- this stage seems worth it by our standards now but didn’t seem worth it by last stage’s standards.
This is a minor quibble, but—the thing about the babies is speculation, since nobody really remembers how happy they might have been in the womb. My babies showed some evidence of discomfort in the cramped quarters of the womb (a lot of kicking, especially toward the end), and they displayed a lot of pleasure in things like nursing and cuddling and being played with once they got out into the world. If I had to guess I would say they were happier after birth.
For the puberty thing, I know that I felt much, much better once I was out of adolescence. So experiences vary.
Right, I think I misworded it (and it could be the point is totally wrong)- this stage seems worth it by our standards now but didn’t seem worth it by last stage’s standards.