A modern house would not last long compared to the old houses with wood heat and cooking. How many know how to cook on a wood stove? How many wood stoves do you see around? That and a thousand other things people used to know how to do.
How many people know HOW to cook - not from can or freezer? (BTW, I watched my Great Grandma cook on a wood stove...heated with coal, I think...
People dont even know how to grill with out propane.