San Francisco 1905: Reality TV from the past

A friend sent this link to a film made from a cable car traveling down Market Street in San Francisco in 1905. (That is pre-earthquake, by the way). I found it fascinating. I watched the entire 8 minutes.

Most noticeable to me was the speed. Compared to modern life, it felt downright relaxing. Quite reasonably paced to my mind. Of course, people at the time thought this was hyper-fast big-city life! Everything is relative.

Also, I noted the dearth of women. Public life was male life.

And I enjoyed watching all the modes of transport: Cable cars, motor cars, horses, buggies, bikes, even an electic streetcar. And the traffic behavior is... somewhat more spontaneous than we have now! Actually, the way the vehicles and people move about reminded me strongly of places like Shanghai, where there is also a seeming element of randomness (and yet it all kind of works somehow).

Anyway, this footage is a rare opportunity to witness life 100 years ago from the eyes of someone there. Reality TV from the past. One final note: Every human in that footage is probably dead now. All their hopes, loves, dreams, fears.... where are they now? It can add perspective to our own lives to remember this.