Industrial literacy and the fate of American progress
Aug 15, 2024
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In the discussion, Jason Crawford highlights the rise of inflation and the demand for better social services in America. He delves into the concept of industrial literacy, arguing it’s essential for understanding and fostering prosperity. The conversation emphasizes the role of education in teaching innovation’s history to inspire future generations. They also explore the challenges of policy and technology in navigating progress. Throughout, there's a call for a balance between technological advancement and human welfare.
Jason Crawford emphasizes the importance of industrial literacy in education to foster a deeper understanding of technological progress and its societal implications.
The Techno-Humanist Manifesto advocates for viewing technology as a tool for enhancing human welfare, countering the pessimistic narrative surrounding modern advancements.
Deep dives
The Need for a New Philosophy of Progress
There is a growing sentiment that Western society has lost its ambition for economic growth and productivity, leading to a preference for degrowth amidst increasing populations and expanding needs. This shift has resulted in a pessimistic view of progress that emerged during the mid-20th century, which, according to Jason Crawford, has caused a disconnection from the underlying benefits of scientific and technological advancements. The Techno-Humanist Manifesto aims to address this disconnection by presenting a philosophy centered on the belief that progress is essential for human well-being. By acknowledging both the successes and challenges of progress, the manifesto advocates for a balanced perspective that emphasizes the potential for human agency to solve contemporary issues.
Centering Humans in Technology
Crawford emphasizes the importance of viewing technology as a tool for enhancing human lives rather than an uncontrollable force. He introduces the term 'techno-humanism' to describe a philosophy that combines appreciation for technology with a focus on human welfare, asserting that technology should ultimately serve to improve society. This perspective counters the notion of a technological juggernaut that advances independently of human input, instead highlighting the agency of those who create and implement technologies. By reclaiming the narrative around technology's role, Crawford seeks to foster a more optimistic view that recognizes human involvement as central to technological progress.
The Importance of Recognizing Past Progress
Crawford notes that society often overlooks the monumental progress achieved through industrialization, leading to a lack of appreciation for the comforts and advancements we enjoy today. By framing this phenomenon as 'fish in water,' he illustrates how pervasive technology can become invisible in daily life until disruptions occur, such as power outages or supply chain issues. He urges a shift towards gratitude for the past and an acknowledgment of the collective achievements that have shaped contemporary civilization. This recognition serves not only as a form of respect for past generations but also as a motivator for ongoing progress, assuring future generations can enjoy an even better quality of life.
Reimagining Education for a Culture of Progress
Crawford advocates for integrating the concept of progress into educational curricula to cultivate a deeper understanding of industrial civilization among students. He argues that current education systems often fail to address the history and impact of progress, leaving graduates without a true appreciation for the technological systems that support their lives. Introducing 'industrial literacy' as a fundamental component of education would ensure that students not only learn about historical figures in science and technology but also understand the societal context and implications of their work. By fostering this awareness, the next generation can develop a love for humanity and a sense of agency, instilling hope and ambition for future advancements.
It’s good and bad times in America. Inflation is down and wages are up in real terms, but there’s a rising challenge: how can we provide the housing, transportation, schooling, health care and amenities that Americans expect when prices for these social services have skyrocketed over the past three decades? Even when new technologies are capable of delivering better services, rules and regulations often stymie their dissemination. America was once the most progressive nation in the world — what happened?
Many analysts focus on policies, from zoning and permitting reform to government procurement modernization, that can accelerate the adoption of frontier tech and increase productivity. But Jason Crawford takes a more expansive and longer view of the challenge. As founder and leader of the Roots of Progress Institute and through his on-going publication of The Techno-Humanist Manifesto, Jason emphasizes that we have lost something important: our industrial literacy. America’s leaders no longer understand how prosperity was delivered from the Industrial Revolution onwards, and we’ve lost the ability to rebuild and expand wealth in its broadest conception for the next generation.
I talk with Jason about his manifesto and its focus on humanism, and then we walk through some of the major ideas he’s hoping Americans pick up. These range from more progress studies in high schools and colleges as well as a greater understanding about the value that technology delivers for quality of life to the importance of gratitude for our ancestors who delivered this prosperity to us and why technocrats and reactionaries can both be wrong about managing technological change.
