In 1439 the printing press was invented, making books common. Before that, there were scrolls and codices, but from what I understand, aside from religious texts books weren’t common.
Nowadays people who prefer to be alone have tons of modern hobbies like gaming, photography, crochet, biking, podcasts, the internet in general. So I just wanted to ask; if you prefer solitude, what hobby would you enjoy if you could live in any time before books were common? (with the assumption you had a comfortable life.)
The options I thought of were: collecting something, working out, writing, wood working, gardening, hiking, some instruments, and I’m sure there’s many more.
Being an outsider or a loner back then meant carrying a significant extra load. Imagine being away from the bustle of society—your workload skyrockets. Without the chance to trade or share tasks with others, everything falls on your shoulders. Ensuring your own survival becomes an all-consuming endeavor. Think about it: gathering food, securing water, and creating shelter become mammoth tasks when you’re doing it solo. Each of these basic needs demands meticulous attention and time. It’s like you’re running your own one-person show, handling all the backstage work without the luxury of collaboration or assistance. In those times, being isolated meant not just missing social interactions but also being weighed down by the sheer effort required for daily sustenance.