Rethinking 'Progress'

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OK, so I was planning on writing about the innovation of food in my next article, but decided to switch course. Sorry about it. Instead, I wanted to publish an article I had been sitting on for a little while about what progress really means. Hope you enjoy!

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Soon, there will be a new tallest building in America…but nowhere CLOSE to where you’d expect.

This week, officials gave the green light on a proposed 1.5 billion dollar structure that will turn Oklahoma City into a beacon of American architecture.

The tower rendered above will proudly stand at almost 2000ft, eclipsing NYC’s One World Trade Center and sitting snugly at #5 on the list of the tallest buildings worldwide.

For what is currently the 20th largest city in the U.S.A., this seems downright crazy, but investors have reportedly ponied up the money to make this plan a reality.

Some may see this as a triumph for American progress and ingenuity.

The culmination of engineering talent and creativity to turn a small, southern city into a mega-metropolis.

Yet, I keep asking myself, is this really ‘progress’?

One of my favorite TV shows is “Yellowstone”, following the story of a family dynasty that operates the largest contiguous ranch in the U.S. on the border of Yellowstone National Park.

In the series, patriarch and 6th-century homesteader John Dutton aims to maintain his power in a constantly changing world, where it appears every force is out to dismantle his simple way of life.

After being elected governor of Montana, Dutton comments on this great war for land between Montanans and the modern world in the following remarks:

The dictionary defines progress as a ‘forward and onward movement’ as well as ‘gradual betterment’.

John Dutton’s remarks make me reconsider…what constitutes true progress?

I look at cities today like Honolulu or Los Angeles and I wonder if this is what progress really looks like. Sure, we’ve built lasting infrastructure, shelter for thousands of people, and second homes for the uber-wealthy, but is it actually ‘better’?

The land these concrete jungles inhabit once held so much beauty.

Today, that beauty can often only be found outside the ever-growing gridlock of $ 4,000-a-month studio apartments.

It seems like Mother Nature and progress are constantly at odds.

Moving to the Bay Area this past year, I anticipated that the vibrant city of San Francisco would be where I spent most of my weekends.

Known for its Victorian-esque architecture and a gigantic red bridge, the city has consistently been named one of the most stunning in the country.

Not only is it known for its architectural beauty, but the air in SF practically reeks of progress.

The city still ranks as the most attractive for startups on the planet, with many of the world’s most innovative companies headquartered mere blocks from one another.

However, in the last 11 months of living here, the city has probably been the place I visit the least.

What makes the Bay Area great isn’t the Golden Gate or Pac Heights, it’s the land untouched.

Jagged rocks jutting out of the water, battered constantly by Pacific waves.

Old-growth redwoods standing 30 stories in the air all up and down the coast.

Rolling hills in the East Bay, blanketed in long grass that changes color with the seasons.

Much of this land is the same as it was thousands of years ago, yet it only continues to draw bigger crowds and drive up rents to astronomical levels.

Maybe progress isn’t always best associated with change.

I had always considered progress to represent something new that was beneficial in the aggregate.

While not always good for all parties, collectively, the positive impact of whatever change was being made outweighed the associated costs.

When new inventions typically arise, there is usually short-term pain in labor markets before new jobs are created. The internet was a prime example of this.

Over a million secretaries lost their jobs from 2000 to 2010 due to online planning and calendars. Telephone operators, bookkeepers, and travel agents suddenly ceased to be needed in the workforce.

Yet, since then, more than 17 million jobs have been created across various functions and industries in the U.S. alone due to the Internet being created.

However, ‘progress’ can also lead to tools or developments that may not be all sunshine and rainbows.

The atomic bomb, microplastics, and even TikTok all represent inventions that can be used for much more nefarious purposes.

In our world today, we often prioritize progress above all else.

From trying to optimize our morning routines so we can hit snooze just one more time to large companies implementing new systems to solve a recurring problem before it happens.

While trying to make things better and move forward is often a good thing, sometimes it can backfire.

Not spending enough time waking up before completing cognitively or physically demanding tasks could leave you drowsy or underperforming throughout the day.

F500 companies adding new procedures to avoid future issues may lead to greater delays or cost impacts by implementing them.

What seems like a step forward may really be 3 steps back.

I’ve realized that progress is a bit more difficult to define than I thought.

Just because something seems like it is moving forward (be it a new skyscraper or otherwise) doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a good thing.

I wonder if we should always chase progress. Perhaps there's something to be said for simply being present in the moment or state we're in.

Our world today is focused on productivity, efficiency, and change.

We see these as synonymous with progress and pursue them ruthlessly to create a better world.

Would it be crazy to suggest that, in doing so, we may be accomplishing the opposite?

-John Henry

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