Is Progress Always a Good Thing?

Nov 26, 2020

"Everybody wants to change the world but nobody wants to change."
-Leo Tolstoy

Maybe I think about Harry Potter too much, but there is one quote from both the books and films that constantly nags at me, especially as a vegan who seeks to create radical change in the world. This quote comes from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix during Dolores Umbridge's speech at the Great Feast when she says, "progress for progress's sake must be discouraged." Obviously, Umbridge is no great example of exemplary character, but does she have a point? Should we always push for progress, or should we stick with the tried-and-true traditions? Is there any middle ground on this issue?

Progress vs. Change

It seems that these words are often conflated, but there is a significant difference between them. Change is simply the act of transforming one thing into another; even just a slight alteration is a change. This implies no improvement of the original object or idea. Progress, on the other hand, begins with the identification of a problem and then seeks to find a solution. Whereas change can be meaningless, progress is all about making things better.

In terms of veganism, we are seeking to progress from being a society that is dependent on using and abusing animals to a society that recognizes animals as unique individuals worthy of respect and rights.

Selfless & Selfish Progress

To an animal agriculture executive, progress may take the form of whatever gets them the most profit. After all, that would make their own lives better, a form of positive change. But progress shouldn't be completely selfish; there must be real-world benefits. Progress should be about the good of all, the good of the planet, the good of the future. It's about taking steps to make the world better for everyone that does and will call it home.

Where Problems Arise

To outsiders who may be afraid of progression -- because they may not understand the reasoning behind making positive changes -- they often fail to see the difference between change and progress, assuming that progressive people are more like anarchists attempting to disrupt daily life. For most of us on the side of progression, though, that's not the case. Perhaps vegans should do a better job conveying the why of veganism instead of the how so we can attempt to avoid this labeling of ourselves and the movement as a whole as "radical" and "extremist."

Doing What's Best

Unfortunately, there is rampant misinformation and disinformation readily available to support anyone's beliefs and prejudices. And, as an incredibly diverse society, we often have differing views of what is better and worse. While it's hard to argue with people who are so adamantly opposed to any kind of change (that they don't see as directly benefiting themselves), maybe we should be clear that nothing in the world is perfect. We can always be doing something to make things better.

Sink or Swim

This idea that the way we live right now is best is a fallacy because, though it might be subjectively better than how people lived before, it allows us to sit back in the past instead of running towards the future. I think of progress like sailing a ship with the anchor down. The forward-thinkers are full-steam ahead, charging into the future with grand hopes and aspirations, but those who are comfortable with how things are or are afraid of making drastic changes -- maybe even rightfully afraid -- are the anchor dragging along the bottom of the seabed, slowing our progression down to a crawl. This constant battle between moving forward despite the unknowns of the future and holding back because of these unknowns is why positive change is so hard to achieve.

So, remember this: Life is a continuous evolution. Change is inevitable. But with our actions right now, we can determine if the future will be better or worse than the present.

be conscious, be kind, be vegan