ok so i’ve heard at least 2 different definitions of progress.
- one strictly defines progress as technological progress. the reasoning is that “progress” comes from latin “pro-gress” (marching forward) which refers to any labor process feeling very similar to a long march. exhausting.
- another nice angle i’ve heard was that “progress” is a play-on-words with progesterone which is a substance produced by biological women to advance various internal processes, as such it is understood as “what women do” or as women’s movement. it’s silly but i’ve heard it and now so have you.
especially, do you think that “progress” properly describes your goals? do you say that progress is what we need as a society? if no, how else would you describe your goals?
For me, “progress” is any societal or technological change that helps society as a whole and reduces or removes inequality.
Examples of progress : ending slavery, women’s rights, worker’s rights, free quality education, LGBT+ rights and general acceptance and understanding, ending racism, the personal computer, internet, medecine, clean transportation, diplomacy, right to repair etc.
Exemples of absolutely NOT progress: conservatism, fascism and authoritarianism (several sides of the same coin), social media, LLMs (both being pushed by and controlled by and only benefitting technofascist feudalists), erosion of rights, mass surveillance etc.