I agree with you. While I do not have the deep background knowledge in psychology to do so, I think the Progress Studies movement needs to focus more on how material progress influences human psychology and vice versa.
Closely related to this is getting a better understanding of the psychological causes of ideology, which I believe is one of the primary threats to future material progress as ideology has a powerful effect on government policy.
Excellent article—your proposed psychology of progress deeply resonates with me. I explore how uncertainty can serve as a path to clarity rather than a source of fear. I call this Waldverloren, a literal German translation of "lost in the forest," where surrendering to the moment fosters deeper awareness. While it may sound esoteric, it's grounded in philosophy and environmental psychology—a profoundly human journey shaped by sensory perception. This journey is about progress, often through small steps that prevent anxiety from building up. It’s progress within uncertainty, driven by the intrinsic human need to connect—with nature, with each other, and with the things we create in a way that feels natural.
In that regard, I completely agree with your closing statement—we need to focus more on human psychology to truly accelerate progress. I do believe that when progress is shaped by human needs and emotions rather than imposed at an overwhelming pace, we create a path forward that is both meaningful and sustainable, rather than anxiety-inducing.
I agree with you. While I do not have the deep background knowledge in psychology to do so, I think the Progress Studies movement needs to focus more on how material progress influences human psychology and vice versa.
Closely related to this is getting a better understanding of the psychological causes of ideology, which I believe is one of the primary threats to future material progress as ideology has a powerful effect on government policy.
Excellent article—your proposed psychology of progress deeply resonates with me. I explore how uncertainty can serve as a path to clarity rather than a source of fear. I call this Waldverloren, a literal German translation of "lost in the forest," where surrendering to the moment fosters deeper awareness. While it may sound esoteric, it's grounded in philosophy and environmental psychology—a profoundly human journey shaped by sensory perception. This journey is about progress, often through small steps that prevent anxiety from building up. It’s progress within uncertainty, driven by the intrinsic human need to connect—with nature, with each other, and with the things we create in a way that feels natural.
In that regard, I completely agree with your closing statement—we need to focus more on human psychology to truly accelerate progress. I do believe that when progress is shaped by human needs and emotions rather than imposed at an overwhelming pace, we create a path forward that is both meaningful and sustainable, rather than anxiety-inducing.