What changes to what elements of society would qualify as
evidence of ‘progress?’ We sort of
assume society is making ‘progress,’ but we seldom check to see what is
actually happening, or ask if what is happening is really motion toward a
desirable, and necessarily sustainable, goal.
So let’s look at some trends, and decide whether they are indicative of
‘progress.’
Let’s start with some of the good ones.
For instance: Is
increasing inequality a sign of ‘progress?’
One could argue that it is a (necessary) price for progress, one that
fortunately doesn’t have to be paid by the wealthier beneficiaries of
progress. But do those who do have to
pay this price benefit from ‘progress’ at all?
Or is other people’s progress bought with their decline?
The environment is mostly more polluted.
More people, greater stress on limited resources.
More forests cut down.
Fewer wild animals.
More fisheries depleted or facing depletion.
Soil depletion.
Increased depletion of ground water.
Warmer more acidic oceans.
(US). Fewer
factories More office space
Fuel efficiency
But use more energy
Increasing reliance on distant sources of oil minerals which
must be extracted at increasing cost.
including mineral fertilizers.
Increased incarceration.
Increased polarization of society
Increased concentration of ownership of the means of production
Increased
concentration of ownership of media.
Increased concentration of ownership of whisky production
And:
Increased debt burdens of government and non-wealthy
More people:
More land planted
Increased spending on military.
Increased threats from terrorism
Lots more ‘data’
More money
(US)More guns in private hands.
(US) Increased costs of health services
(US) Increased costs of higher education.
(US) Increased trade deficit
(click on the little ‘MAX’ button)
Reduced spending on infrastructure.
More and more expensive technology for non-poor especially the very rich
The Internet.
(US ) Bigger houses. More mega mansions.
(US) More homeless. Increased poverty.
More useless anti-biotics
The rise of neo-liberalism
(US) More militarized police force
More corrupt politics
Serving narrow constituency, vs, the people.
Increased concern with the self. Vs public.
Increasing privatization of the commons.
More mega yachts
I'll get around to filling in most of the other references. (Or you could.) And perhaps some other indicators. (Or you could.) I apologize that some data are merely indicative. But I wanted to get the next post out.
Thank you.
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