I don’t know if it’s canon or not but I’m fond of the idea that the Shire is low-key the most scientifically advanced society in Middle-earth
Everyone else is living in the dark ages and the Hobbits got indoor plumbing and advanced agricultural equipment, of course they don’t want to leave
Merry takes out a match to light his pipe and the rest of the fellowship loses their goddamn minds because WHAT IS THIS MAGIC FIRE STICK???