Talk:Equestria/@comment-2012421-20180430201658/@comment-10390252-20180430204809

I usually call Equestria's tech level 'schitzo-tech'. Although in most ways it seems to be pre-Industrial Revolution, this is complicated by the fact that magic can do things that anything short of Interplanetary Species-level cultures cannot, such as multiple large food crops per year and waste-free agriculture. Industry seems to be at local artisan level but with magic, the mass-production of required technology (which isn't extensive as it is for us non-magical types) is vastly easier. So huge mineral supply chains, foundaries and factory systems are not needed for economic and social development.

Magic does things on Equestria for which we non-magical types need technology such as propulsion, supersonic air travel and long-range communiations. So, we can't expect the ponies to develop entirely in the same way as we.

Also, Equestria (having four demigods as rulers) has never experienced the runaway military development that Earth experienced. Their army still looks, feels and is apparently organised in a medieval way but the presence of magic and soldiers who can do thinks like throw house-sized rocks over mile ranges or alter the weather turns the equation about 'military capability' on its head.

Magic has, in many ways, made things easier and more painless for ponies.