#social reforms

[empirearchives]

Napoleon and Water

Excerpt from the book Aaron Burr in Exile: A Pariah in Paris, 1810-1811, by Jane Merrill and John Endicott

Aaron Burr lived in Paris for 15 months, and this book goes into detail about those years living under Napoleon’s rule. This part focuses on Napoleon’s water related reforms.

———

Napoleon’s fountains gave drinking water to the population, that is, children drank water, not beer. The water was free, not purchased. And the apartment would have had a separate water closet equipped with squat toilets (adopted from the Turks) and a bucket to wash it after use. Some restaurants and cafes had W.C.s, even one for ladies and one for gents. These were hooked into the sewer system that branched under each important street.

Napoleon merits points for delivering fresh water to Paris. If serving Paris with water from the d'Ourcq River by canals was not be a consummate success, Paris gained 40 new fountains, and the emperor commanded that fountains run all day (instead of a few limited hours) and that the water be free of charge.

Perhaps the most laudable of Napoleon’s policies were utilitarian city works, especially bringing clean water and sanitation to Paris. The improvements to infrastructure included new quays to prevent floods, new gutters and pavement, new aqueducts and fountains, and relocating cemeteries and slaughterhouses to the outskirts of the city. This was also a way of keeping up employment. An Austrian aristocrat in town during Napoleon’s wedding to Marie-Louise wrote his mother, in Vienna: “Nothing can give an idea of the immense projects undertaken simultaneously in Paris. The incoherence of it is incredible; one cannot imagine that the life of a single man would be enough to finish them.”

It was a tall order. Previous rulers had been aware of the problems and one big engineering initiative, a failed marvel, had been the waterworks at Marly, located on the banks of the Seine about seven miles from Paris. Louis XIV had it constructed to pump water from the river to his chateaux of Versailles and Marly. This was the machine marvel of its age, with 250 pumps that forced river water up a 500-foot rise to an aqueduct, and it was a sight Burr mentions going to see. By 1817 the ���Marly machine” had deteriorated because it was made of wood, and the waterworks were abandoned.

Charles-Augustin Sainte-Beuve, the prominent 19th century literary critic, wrote that there had been “ten years of anarchy, sedition and laxity, during which no useful work had been undertaken, not a street had been cleaned, not a residence repaired nothing improved or cleansed.” Postrevolutionary Paris was at a nadir in terms of both the inadequate, disease-ridden water supply and the filthy streets, which were basically open sewers, deep with black mud and refuse.

“Napoleon,” writes Alistair Horne, “was obsessed by the water of Paris, and everything to do with it.”

Parisians had mostly been getting their water directly from the Seine or lining up at the scant pay fountains. In 1806, nineteen new wells for fountains were dug that flowed day and night and were free. Napoleon had a canal built 60 miles from the River Ourcq, ordering 500 men to dig it, while still a consul in 1801. It brought water to the Bassin de la Villette, opening in 1808. Some doubted the wisdom of having such an abundance of water—an oriental luxury that might incur moral decay. Now the supply of water for firefighting was also much improved. The canal had light boats, as Napoleon tried to make back some of the huge expenditure by licensing navigation, and a circular aqueduct from which underground conduits went to the central city. In 1810, there were still many water porters wheeling barrels through the city.

Now Napoleon attacked the problem of the Seine as a catchall for pollution. Parisians were so used to it that men swam naked in the river and a contemporary guidebook advised merely that the water of the Seine had no ill effects on foreigners so long as they drank it mixed with wine or a drop of vinegar. Thus houses on bridges were demolished and an immense push began to clean and modernize the city sewers.

As this book is about Aaron Burr, here is section about Burr taking inspiration by a new water related invention during his time in Paris:

Remarkably for someone who was very aware of his health, he never complained of the water. He did, however, take an interest in an invention to make it easier to dig a well. When the inventor of a process to make vinegar from the sap of any tree was not in his shop, Burr and a friend, “Crede”, went to see another invention: “We went then to see Mons. Cagniard, and his new invention of raising water and performing any mechanical operation. His apparatus is a screw of Archimedes turned the reverse, air, water, and quick silver. Cagniard was abroad; but we saw a model, and worked it, and got the report of a committee of the Institute on the subject. If the thing performs what is said I will apply it to give water to Charleston.”

[Bold italics for quotations by me]

[alchemistofthenewage]

This is us

"The pure human body is a highly advanced, technologically sophisticated soft technology that, in many ways, outperforms artificial components of computer technology to make possible advanced states of consciousness and healing."

-Gregg Braden

From Pure Human:

[kestrelsandcentipedes]

Not socialist in a “I won’t have to work” type of way but socialist in a “I’ll still be working but I won’t be worried I won’t make the rent” type of way. In a “billions won’t be hoarded by one person” type of way. In a “janitors, fast-food workers, child care workers, preschool teachers, hotel clerks, personal care and home health aides, and grocery store cashiers, will live comfortably” type of way. In a “the sick and elderly will be cared for” type of way. In a “no child should work” type of way.

[insightfultake]

Chains of Tradition: The Persistent Curse of Dowry in India

Some traditions, though invisible, weigh heavier than iron chains. Across India’s vast landscape, from urban towers to rural courtyards, the dowry system persists as a remnant of a bygone age. It lingers like a shadow, stifling aspirations and marking every girl child as a financial burden. Despite numerous laws aimed at its eradication, dowry remains deeply woven into the fabric of Indian society, muting the laughter of daughters and burdening the hearts of families....read more

[mediabirdmag]

✨ The Abolition of Sati: A Turning Point in India’s Social History ✨  

Hey, Tumblr fam! 🌸 Today, let’s talk about something super important: the abolition of Sati—a practice that was as horrifying as it sounds, but its end marked a huge win for social reform in India. Let’s break it down with some context, history, and a sprinkle of gifs. ✊  

What Was Sati? 🤔  

Sati was a ritual where widows were expected to throw themselves (or were forced) onto their husband’s funeral pyres. Yup, pretty grim.  

Why did this even exist? Well, a mix of myth, patriarchy, and societal prestige. Families were respected if a widow performed Sati. But hey, not cool in any way.  

Enter Raja Ram Mohan Roy: The Ultimate Social Reformer 🦸‍♂️  

This guy witnessed his sister-in-law’s tragic death due to Sati and decided, “Nope. This has to stop.”  

He used logic, scripture, and mad debating skills to prove that Hindu texts didn’t actually endorse Sati.  

The Game-Changer Moment: 1829 🔥  

Roy teamed up with Lord William Bentinck, the Governor-General, and in 1829, the Sati Regulation Act was passed. BOOM. It was officially outlawed.    

Why Does This Matter Today? 🤷‍♀️  

Even though Sati is history, its abolition shows that traditions can change. It’s a reminder that questioning harmful norms is always worth it.  

There’s still a long way to go in fighting modern issues like domestic violence, dowry, and gender discrimination. But hey, we’ve got tools, courage, and a collective voice.  

Lessons We Can All Learn

1. Courage changes the world. Even when you’re the only one standing up.  

2. Knowledge is power. Education and awareness are your best allies.  

3. Teamwork makes the dream work. Roy’s partnership with Bentinck = iconic.  

So, What Can You Do?  

- Support causes that uplift women.  

- Speak out against gender-based violence.  

- Keep questioning outdated norms.  

Because social change starts with you. 💪  

> Let’s keep moving forward, together:  

What are your thoughts on Sati’s abolition and its impact today? Drop your feels in the comments, and let’s discuss! 🌺  

[kameshwar]

31 August 2024 - The rich and the poor

Sometimes I feel that India has become a country that believes in punishing the rich harshly and supporting the poor excessively. There is nothing wrong in uplifting the poor. The rich class is safe only as long as there is food on the platter of the poor. If the poor are not taken care of properly, the rich will not be able to survive. But the governance system in a democracy is such that the…

[inteforum]

Within this landscape, the International Forum for Social Reforms emerges as a collective of brilliant minds dedicated to reshaping society for the better.

For More Details:-

Visit us:- https://inteforum.com/

Contact us:- +91-7456030202

[worldmets]

Ram Mohan Roy's Role and Contribution in the Formation of Modern India

Ram Mohan Roy’s Role and Contribution in the Formation of Modern India. Raja Ram Mohan Roy is the shaper of modern India.  Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1772–1833) was a key figure in the socio-religious and political reform movements of 19th-century India. His contributions were instrumental in shaping the intellectual and social landscape of modern India. What is the role and contribution of Ram Mohan…

[booksmets]

Role of Raja Rammohan Roy in the Renaissance of Bengal

Role of Raja Rammohan Roy in the renaissance of Bengal. Raja Rammohan Roy – Significant role in the Renaissance of Bengal.  Raja Rammohan Roy (1772–1833) played a significant role in the renaissance of Bengal, contributing to social, cultural, and educational reforms during the early 19th century. His efforts were instrumental in bringing about a transformation in the intellectual and social…

[gothra]

I’ll never forget when I was arguing with a person in favor of total prison abolition and I asked them “what about violent offenders?” And they said “Well, in a world where prisons have been abolished, we’ll have leveled the playing field and everyone will have their basic needs met, and crime won’t be as much of an issue.” And then I was like “okay. But…no. Because rich people also rape and murder, so it isn’t just a poor person thing. So what will we do about that?” And I don’t think they answered me after that. I’m ashamed to say I continued to think that the problem was that I simply didn’t understand prison abolitionists enough and that their point was right in front of me, and it would click once I finally let myself understand it. It took me a long time to realize that if something is going to make sense, it needs to make sense. If you want to turn theory into Praxis (I’m using that word right don’t correct me I’ll vomit) everyone needs to be on board, which mean it all needs to click and it needs to click fast and fucking clear. You need to turn a complex idea into something both digestible and flexible enough to be expanded upon. Every time I ask a prison abolitionist what they actually intend to do about violent crime, I get directed to a summer reading list and a BreadTuber. It’s like a sleight-of-hand trick. Where’s the answer to my question. There it is. No wait, there it is. It’s under this cup. No it isn’t. “There’s theory that can explain this better than I can.” As if most theory isn’t just a collection of essays meant to be absorbed and discussed by academics, not the average skeptic. “Read this book.” And the book won’t even answer the question. The book tells you to go ask someone else. “Oh, watch this so-and-so, she totally explains it better than me.” Why can’t you explain it at all? Why did you even bring it up if you were going to point me to someone else to give me the basics that you should probably already know? Maybe I’m just one of those crazy people who thinks that some people need to be kept away from the public for everyone’s good. Maybe that just makes me insane. Maybe not believing that pervasive systemic misogyny could be solved with a UBI and a prayer circle makes me a bad guy. But it’s not like women’s safety is a priority anyway. It’s not like there is an objective claim to be made that re-releasing violent offenders or simply not locking them up is deadly.

[pratchettquotes]

People on the side of The People always ended up disappointed, in any case. They found that The People tended not to be grateful or appreciative or forward-thinking or obedient. The People tended to be small-minded and conservative and not very clever and were even distrustful of cleverness. And so, the children of the revolution were faced with the age-old problem: it wasn't that you had the wrong kind of government, which was obvious, but that you had the wrong kind of people.

As soon as you saw people as things to be measured, they didn't measure up.

Terry Pratchett, Night Watch

[progressivemillennial]

[mirrorofliterature]

when people go like

'oh, the jedi couldn't intervene in tatooine because it was outside of the republic's jurisdiction uwu'

I'm like: do you think that's a good reason?

imagine if doctors without borders was like that. like, jedi is supposedly a non-government organisation/religious order. the good of the galaxy should not be equated to the interests of the senate and the problem is that it was.

the jedi order became corrupt when they became attached to the republic as an ideal, the senate, rather than the republic, the people

obviously, the jedi storming into somewhere like tatooine and leading a revolution would be an absolute disaster, as social change (particularly something as drastic as a revolution) needs to be bottom-up to be successful. but they could have done something. get a few jedi in contact with the slave underground, be allies and coordinators.

the jedi order loses its way because they sacrifice their morals, again and again, for the supposed 'greater good'. it's utilitarianism writ large.

a good discrete example of the jedi order's flaws is when they negotiate with the hutts for hyperspace lane access.

they know the hutts are slavers and crime lords. that's not a secret.

but, they need the hyperspace lanes For the War

the jedi order keeps peace, yes. peace for who? peace for the billions of slaves? their idea of peace seems to be to maintain the status quo, even as the status quo became increasingly toxic.

the jedi order choosing to accept the clones, choosing to fight the war, it was the easy choice. it was the wrong choice. it was the path of least resistance.

but does that make it right?

no.

think back to the delegate of 2000 meeting:

“The moral authority of the Jedi, such as it is,” Bana Breemu said, “has been spent lavishly upon war; I fear they have none left for politics.”

anyway the jedi should decentralise and help the people, not the Senate

[kameshwar]

04 July 2024 God and the Stampedes

Two days ago, 123 people died in a stampede near Hathras, UP. I feel really sorry for the loss of lives. But more than that, I’m angered to know to know the cause of the stampede. An idiot has become a godman in the region among the villagers. He, in fact, declares himself God. He has called himself Narayan Sakar Hari , the embodiment of the SUPREME GOD. Using some gadgetry tricks, he sometimes…

[destielmemenews]

Due to a lot of feedback on the nature of this blog, and how the meme format can come across as insensitive and shameless, I'm considering switching to a news only post format, without the use of the destiel meme. I greatly enjoy sharing information about current events, and would like to continue doing so in some way.

So I am making this poll to ask everyone their opinion on the way I do things, and for suggestions to improve my content.

[navree]

Incorrect, the fact that Biden has dropped out and a candidate with history of supporting medicare for all and being more receptive to a ceasefire in the I/P conflict has made me go from "I cannot morally support the Democratic nominee" to "I am voting for the Democratic nominee despite the fact she isn't perfect in every respect." I'm really happy this played out. The Dems for the most part abandoned the old Obama platform and it feels like its possible an actual progressive agenda could come to pass in my lifetime.

Kamala 2024!

If you weren't going to vote Democratic in this election before Biden dropped out you're a dorkass loser who does not care about any of the issues you're yammering about here and also a fundamentally bad person, and I hope you get run over by a bus.

But you got one thing right in all of this gibberish, Kamala 2024.