Do we need a better understanding of 'progress'?

Re:Do we need a better understanding of 'progress'? by AnimalMuppet on Friday June 17, 2022 @03:54PM (#31783406)

> "It also doesn't care much for societal norms that stand in the way of what it conceives of as progress – even ones shared by all cultures..."

Great. That's "we're going to chase our idea of progress, even if the rest of the entire human race doesn't see it as progress".

Real progress is not just economic. In the 19th century, there was much more of an idea that there could be moral progress - an idea echoed today by the progressives. (You don't have to agree with the direction the progressives think represents progress - I don't - but their idea of progress is much more than economic gains.)

Having an environment that isn't polluted is progress compared to having one that is polluted. It may not be worth having people starve to get there, but it's one axis of progress.

And having people not starve is progress. Having them not die of diseases is progress. Having them able to read, and to access information, is progress.

Having them not die from violence would be progress.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Do we need a better understanding of 'progress'? by SyzygistSix on Saturday June 18, 2022 @07:44AM (#31789007)

We don't get to decide what others value and work towards. We get to decide what we value and work towards.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Do we need a better understanding of 'progress'? by codefreeordie on Friday June 17, 2022 @04:48PM (#31784157)

You put your effort into furthering your definition of progress. I'll put my effort furthering mine, and Patrick will work on his.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Do we need a better understanding of 'progress'? by spacemanmatt on Tuesday June 21, 2022 @02:26AM (#31820580)

That's not how social progress works.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Do we need a better understanding of 'progress'? by codefreeordie on Tuesday June 21, 2022 @01:42PM (#31826874)

It totally is, everybody works towards the things that they care about. There is no objective standard for progress. You don't get to define "progress" for everybody else.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Do we need a better understanding of 'progress'? by spacemanmatt on Tuesday June 21, 2022 @03:52PM (#31828352)

You're onto the key item here -- It's a shared definition. You can't go your way with progress, and me mine.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Do we need a better understanding of 'progress'? by codefreeordie on Tuesday June 21, 2022 @04:02PM (#31828466)

There is no shared definition. There are many different groups, each working towards their goals and definition.

[ Parent | on HN ]