I think the pursuit of understanding progress is inspiring, and I have been reading more regarding the idea that we have almost a moral obligation to protect and grow progress as the core concept that drives all poverty alleviation, environmental impact improvements, and quality of life more generally. I think this ties to recent efforts around the idea of effective altruism, where thinkers are looking at new moral and ethical frameworks from which to live and work, for both leaders now, and for future generations.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effective_altruism
Ps. As a side interest, I would like to know of any deeper exploration of the interplay of theology and progress. I've read before about the importance of the "Protestant ethic" motivating change and progress as people felt they had self-determination and free will, compared to what has been described as a fatalist mindset/approach of the Catholic church, where an individual can feel like more of a pawn in another's game.
The democrats rig their primaries, the republicans dance with dictators, and progressives shut down anyone they disagree with.
It's about improvements that have led to a better quality of life for humanity.
And oddly enough, as off-topic as my comment was, there's something self reinforcing about it.
The fact that my mind leapt straight to the political shows the extent to which my thought processes have reshaped around that definition.
As far as actual progress is concerned, I fear we have lost sight of the goal posts.
That pretty little supercomputer in your pocket is a lot more impressive than the one from four years ago, now go comment on a cat.
So we progress, but to where?