Think about Wells' day - with the Industrial Revolution well under way, the steel workers - those who, in the language of the time, " . . . worked in the fiery belly of Moloch . . . " were seen as the people who were building civilization. It was the idle, non-productive people that gave rise to the worthless Eloi of the far future, fit only to be eaten by those who worked, and had earned a good meal.
While "Metropolis" is often dismissed as Communist or at least Marxist propaganda, Thea Von Harbeau's original story and the full length version of the film makes some very good points, especially in the context of the time.
If the less fortunate are not exposed to culture and have no shot at higher education they degenerate into a sub culture. We see that in our inner cities to some extent even today, and it was much worse for a greater proportion of our population not that long ago.
Literacy rates were higher in some of the original 13 colonies than they are today, or so I've read.
BTW
My earlier mention of genetic predisposition towards violence is no longer simply a theory. Blood pressure spikes and sudden releases of adrenaline and testoserone due to know medical factors have been linked directly to the genetic heritage of the subjects so far studied.
As for un natural selection of warfare, in ancient times, and in modern day backwards societies, only the strong, swift, and quick to strike survived to have offspring.
Centuries of more civilized warfare ensured that only those best suited for combat were likely to engage in combat, the most suited being sent to the units most at risk of high casualties. This resulted in those least suited being most likely to serve only in support roles or be left behind to man the industries and farms.
These same factors resulted in the decline of Roman military might and the degeneration of the civilian population. Their best men never lived long enough to have large families and a large percentage of those who did became colonists of conquered lands or Foederates by way of the landgrants given to veterans.
After awhile The Roman soldiers could no longer even carry the full weight of armor and weaponry of the old Roman Legions.
The minimum height for a Roman Legionaire went from six feet to five ten and then to no minumum height at all. Armor all but disappeared.
People like myself whose ancestors were among the last hereditary warriors and whose immediate ancestors were isolated by geography lost a great deal less of the genetic factors which are necessary to maintaining a high level of agressiveness. This can be a good thing or a bad thing according to the pressures of society.
Theres many a good man who'd sacrifice his life for what he believes to be right, but can't fight their way out of a paper bag.
There are others with no fear of death, who fight like lions, yet don't have a clue what they are fighting for, or even care.
Still creeps me out to this day...
