The Complexities of Progress: Advancement vs. Betterment

Watch now on YouTube. 

Entangled World explores the interrelated, existential social, economic, ecological, and technological risks we face, their underlying drivers, and how a more beautiful world might emerge. 

In this episode, I’m joined by Alex Randall from the Civilization Research Institute to discuss Development in Progress, a recent paper released by The Consilience Project, an initiative of the Civilization Research Institute.

I highly recommend taking the time to read it—this paper sheds new light on the widely accepted progress narrative, the idea that technological innovation, markets, and institutions have unambiguously improved our quality of life. While modernity has undeniably brought many benefits, such as medical advancements and technologies that connect us globally, this paper challenges us to question the costs of progress as we define it today. It argues that the overlooked side effects of our pursuit of progress have accumulated to a point where they now pose existential risks to life on our planet.

The good news is that there are relatively simple ways we can start making changes that reduce these downsides. Alex emphasizes that progress itself isn’t inherently harmful, but by expanding our view of what progress encompasses, we can better recognize and address its unintended consequences.

We delve into some innovative frameworks developed by the Civilization Research Institute, like prudent problem-solving and yellow teaming—approaches that can immediately enhance how we take meaningful action in both our organizations and our personal lives.

For those of you who understand the metacrisis and are eager to know how you can make a difference, this episode is especially exciting!