But unlike back then, we have power tools and vast mechanization. One Diesel powered machine can do the work of thousands of men. If we wanted to build a canal today we ought to be able to do it much faster regardless of carelessness level.
It surely a machine that can do the work of 1000 people more than compensated for extra safety.
Even if you have 1000 people you’re willing to sacrifice, if just one machine can do all their work then carelessness can’t be the main reason we’re so slow now.
Or maybe they use the machines and the same amount of people and just do more? It they did less it would slow things down....oh wait, that was the original point.
