Progress?

I remember growing up after Dick Tracy watches and around the time of the Jetsons. I remember when humans first set foot on the moon. We got our first home computer in 1979, a used TRS-80. Technology continues to alter our lives and it seems that this is expected to be positive. After all, we are making progress. Perhaps it is my generation or the society in which I was raised, but it seems that we have been taught to value progress. I'm thinking of the World's Fair from way back when which brought us glimpses to the gains being made in every aspect of our lives, from architecture to electricity, the Ferris wheel to transportation. People often marvel at what new thing we can do. Lately however, I find myself questioning this continual course of action and change. Why isn't continuity more valued? This weekend I decided I didn't want to be around people so I took off and didn't know where I'd be spending the night. As I drove across the state, I got lost on some back roads and got glimpses of a few places that looked as if they were forgotten by time. I also drove on some newer highways that connect us all more quickly and efficiently. Perhaps less time driving is progress but if fast moving roads now bypass the smaller towns, perhaps it isn't allowing everyone to progress. Some are actually regressing. I ended up staying at my parents' earth home. They weren't there so I had plenty of peace and quiet. I sat in the grass on the hill in 78 degree weather; I went walking barefoot through the woods. I also visited with one of the Amish girls who lives next door. They

look after the place when my parents are gone and one of the daughters stopped over shortly after I drove up. I found myself thinking of her way of life, without the stresses of our busy lives. I'm sure her world is not a panacea and involves stress of its own, but I am assuming the pace is less frenetic. I think of my own profession, education. We tend to latch on to new or recycled methods and look to new technology, read​​​​y to jump on the next band wagon to come along in this educational parade of progress, forgetting that it is the learning that matters, not the tools that we choose to get us there.

I actively started journaling four years ago. Every now and then I pull out my past books and read my thoughts. My journey has been an adventure and when I take time to reflect, I come to the conclusion that there is no question that I am making progress on a personal level.

We have made great gains in some areas that have saved lives. The field of medicine comes to mind. However, the more I think about progress, the more I feel disappointed. By now, I was hoping that nations would have found a way to coexist without such violence toward one another.

* I think of the wasted resources spent on defense and wars that could be spent for improving the quality of life or solving the climate disruption crisis that is on pace to doom us all.

* I think of the negative way that many people choose to interact with others on a daily basis rather than living more in community.

* I think of the ability to generate more food faster but yet we are offered products that are inherently bad for us. * I think of the amazing ways that we can use to connect to one another but yes we seem less able to communicate.

I think of the lemmings. They were making wonderful progress, right before they ran off the cliff.