What Is Progress?

On March 4^th, we examined the question, "What is progress?" Members felt that there were at least two problems with the traditional emphasis on ever-increasing total aggregate wealth: 1) That this did not create incentives to protect the environment, and 2) Many people are being left behind. Concern was expressed regarding income equality within our local community, throughout the nation, and throughout the world. On the other hand, some members felt that merely bringing everyone up to the same (or a similar) standard of living would be disastrous to the environment. This led many to conclude that changes in the way we live would become necessary sooner or later.

It was noted, too, that material wealth does not equal happiness; since the end of World War II, while Americans have generally gotten richer, studies have shown that they have become less happy. Part of the blame for this was put on how we live and what we value. A "happiness index" - as officially employed in Bhutan, for instance - was mentioned as an alternative to more traditional economic measures. One member felt that we place too much value on being busy - that we need to learn to value "intelligent inaction" - and that schools and the rest of society should not stress competitive values so much. Much of the conversation centered around various forms and degrees of communal living arrangements, from the small-scale to the very large-scale. Many of us found much that was appealing about the idea, but there was also a sense of skepticism about how and whether people would be able to get along in such close living arrangements.

The conversation eventually turned to what sorts of changes we might see in the future. One member saw only increasing corporate control to the detriment of many. Another felt that a crisis would be reached that would lead to significant - and, ultimately, positive - changes. One relatively small-scale change that was discussed was the possibility of implementing a "living wage" locally. Some wondered how and whether this would work, and what the effects would be. Join us next time as we examine these questions in-depth.