Unopposed progress is why we are now having concerns about the environment.

A wise comment befitting an account with that name.

I took your comment to mean, and I agree, that progress is subjective. For example if I oppose mining pits which utilize child labor, I would effectively be opposing the progress of technology which require the rare minerals that come out of them. Still progress though.

It's good that they can voice their opposition. It's bad to you that they're opposing progress according to your definition of progress. There is a distinction.

The other side of this is that there is an element of obstructionism built into the model of democracy. Too much process, back and forth, judge-intervention, lawsuits, counter-lawsuits, voting and representation, etc. It would be ideal if we simply allowed everyone to vote on it, and go with the majority outcome.

Affording ourselves insight into the cosmos I think is unreservedly progressive.

If Paris can move graveyards and cemeteries underground for progress, surely something similar can be arranged to enable progress on the one hand and afford people the ability to honor their ancestors and culture.

Oh, don't get me wrong. I fully agree that looking and moving towards the stars is progress we should be working towards and doing so delicately if necessary. There are too many fixable and silly-things happening in the world today that absolutely demolish our ability to progress as a society.