A Short History of Progress

Diamond describes the early parts of human history in a broad scope towards the beginning of the book. He focuses on both the evolution and spread of human beings, arguing that some civilizations had a head start over other ones because of when the period of human evolution took place. He explains how different environments shaped human history through an a example of how populations which inhabited the Polynesian islands developed differently due to the different environments and then by telling the stories about what happened as populations with better geographical advantages encountered more disadvantaged populations in the Americas. Diamond explains the many factors that influenced the historical progression of different societies. Diamond argues how food production was very much a primary factor in the advancement of each society. Societies

From the early prehistoric society until now, we often heard the word “adaptation”, which means the process of changing something or changing our behavior to deal with new situations. The ways people adjust their natural environment varies according to time, place, and tribe. Foraging is common way of adaptation that people uses for most of human history; however because of the population pressure, some people adopt agriculture to fulfill their need. This essay, will discuss the positive and negative aspects of life in hunting and gathering societies compared to the agricultural societies based on Martin Harris’ article “Murders in Eden” and Jared Diamond’s article “The Worst Mistake in the History of Human Race.”

Diamond opens the chapter using an ironic tone by posing a question regarding the parallels between societies such as the "Easter Islands, Henderson Islands, Anasazi, Maya, and Greenland Norse," with our current society, and then answers it as if he was a critic arguing against him. Diamond, in his ironic tone, gives examples such as, "deforestation, over harvesting wild animals sources of their protein, topsoil eroding away, building cities in dry areas, and destabilizing wars", to be the major catalyst in the collapsing of these past societies (16). Diamond 's use of irony portrays the ignorance of the "critics" knowledge of today 's societal issues, because deforestation, destabilizing wars, over harvesting, building cities in dry areas are all environmental issues

The progressive movement was primarily a reform movement. The movement was pivoted to cure many of the problems of the American society that had developed during the great emission of industrial growth in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. In this Era, the boundary had been restrained, great nations and businesses developed as well as overseas empire established but all citizens were entitled to share the new wealth, optimism and prestige. Therefore, the main goals of the movement were to eradicate the problems cause by immigration, urbanization, industrialization as well as corruption in the government. The movement was succeeded by several progressives who included politicians, writers as well as social welfare advocates who ensured that society would develop as a result of government action.

Since the dawn of mankind, clusters of innovations throughout history have allowed for societal progression at an explosive rate. While primarily fostering a centrifugal system of advancements; humans’ interests in expansion is spiraling out of control. Throughout history elements of collapse can be traced through civilizations and natural resources. Wright’s argument posits humans have hyperextended their utilization of resources at a rate that cannot be replenished, therein by setting up the world for the largest ecological collapse in history (Wright, 2004, pg. 130-131). Due to the cyclical process of past collapse and reformation humans have an advantage to rectify our current consumption rates ultimately avoiding a fate similar to past societies (Wright, 2004, pg. 131). As such Wright’s argument should frame larger discussions of responsible citizenship.

The Progressive era was a time in America’s history when people started to call for the government’s help to face the problems industrialization brought. This era was extremely important because it helped the people achieve better conditions and helped the government to make better use of its powers. One of the most potent groups of progressivists were muckrakers; they used journalism to bring forward problems and injustices in society and the work industry (McKeown). The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire was one of the most devastating industrial tragedies from the early nineteen-hundreds (McKeown). Over a hundred women died because they were unable to escape the building because of its locked doors and improper conditions (McKeown). Most of the

Advancement is both the most noteworthy accomplishment and worst thing about humankind. Innovations and revelations are not innately great or underhandedness; nonetheless, contingent on who wields them they can be a power for kindheartedness or noxiousness.

In chapter six of Radical Evolution, author Joel Garreau shows through various interviews and examples that even though technology may be rising on an exponentially increasing Curve, humans may still be able to change the effects of technological advance in unpredictable ways. Deemed the Prevail scenario, it is also characterized by humans slowing down once-viewed inevitable change viewed as negative and speeding up positive change. Another great theme of the Prevail Scenario is its idea that technological advance will enable humans to acquire a better understanding of their society and nature. In addition to discussing the Prevail scenario, Garreau also discusses the possible change humans

Progress, according to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, means “the process of improving or developing something over a period of time”. Unfortunately, progress does not always develop something like it is stated in its definition. Progress tends to be a good thing for many individuals, but Ronald Wright argues otherwise.Wright makes the claim that progress may be a good thing at times, but too often we progress just because we can, and that’s when too much of a good thing can actually be bad for us. He also creates a rough outline for what it means to be a responsible citizen, and gives us ideas to consider as we figure out how to navigate what that means in a globalizing world.

During the historical period commonly regarded as the Progressive Era in the 1900s, began with the First World War in which women joined the political field in extraordinary amounts. Women were incorporated in leading positions in an array of social reform endeavors, comprising of suffrage, equality, child welfare, and nonviolence (Haman, 2009). Women in the ear started to establish conferences; spoke at gatherings, petitioned government representatives, led marches and protests. Women were also involved in a multiple policies that, for the first time in U.S. history, provided them with a visible presence on the political arena (Haman, 2009). The lines that divided women’s household and public existence became distorted as women joined the

“Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going?” Somewhat in our lifetimes, these three questions are all curiosities that will or have had crossed our minds. Therefore, the insights made by A Short History of Progress written by Ronald Wright perfectly answers these questions that are raised in our thoughts.

The world did not progress during WWII because anytime that roughly 3% of the world’s population dies is never a good thing. And the only reason that the war was not a massive hit on the U.S was because it wasn’t fought on our land. If you look at the technology I guess you could say the world progressed from that standpoint. Because we built an atomic bomb, and developed sonar and radar systems which helped the U.S win the war. You could especially say that the technology advanced from WWI to WWII because of the types of weapons that were used and aircraft carriers were created and more advanced planes were created.

collapsed heavily in their heartlands, where ecological demand had been highest, but left remnant societies who descendants have come down to modern times” (102). Again, Wright paints a very bleak portrait of progress and human consumption. However, he again fails to connect two very important dots. First, progress has led to an increased understanding of how the world works, especially agriculturally. While our current knowledge is not exhaustive, we have a better understanding of how not to strip the land of its nutrients. How not to cause erosion in the fields. Is it not possible that progress has led to a more clear understanding of farming and environmental issues? Did the people of Easter Island and Sumer know the things that we know? I doubt it.

Ronald wright, author of A Short History of Progress, makes the reader aware of Gauguin’s Questions: Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going? These questions support all of the information within the book. Wright would like readers to comprehend the importance in that “now is our last chance to get the future right” (Wright 132). By answering the question of where we come from Wright hopes that readers will see the pattern of failure and come to the conclusion that change needs to happen or our Great Experiment will end. A Short history of Progress takes us from the beginning of time in effort to show us where we are headed.

The aversion to progress has been apparent through the history of mankind. Through the clever use of satire, three authors each from a different period and unique graphic locations, expose issues related to man’s reluctance to progress. Aristophanes, Hughes and Atwood vary in their respective abilities to change their audience’s minds about the significant issues of their time periods.