We are living through a slowdown in human progress | Jason Crawford

We are living through a slowdown in human progress | Jason Crawford

by Jason Crawford

Humanities, Social Sciences & Thought Society & Culture JBCCCultural studiesJBCC9History of ideas
🎙 Jason Crawford 👥 8.9M 📅 November 17, 2025 ⏱ 13 min 👁 61K 📄 expert opinion 🧭 2026-08-03
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

progresstechnologyindustrial revolutioninnovationoptimism

Summary

Jason Crawford, founder of The Roots of Progress, argues that we are currently experiencing a slowdown in human progress, particularly in areas like energy, manufacturing, and transportation, which have not seen fundamental breakthroughs since the 1970s. He traces the historical evolution of the idea of progress, noting that it only emerged in the West around the 1500s, with Francis Bacon advocating for empirical science and the possibility of surpassing the ancients. The Industrial Revolution validated Bacon’s vision, leading to rapid technological advancements and a period of optimism in the late 19th century. However, the world wars shattered the naive belief that progress would automatically bring peace and moral improvement, giving rise to countercultural skepticism about modernity. Crawford acknowledges the real costs and risks of progress but argues that we must confront them and continue to invest in progress, as it is not automatic but depends on our choices. He highlights the accelerating nature of progress through feedback loops and contrasts the five major revolutions from 1870-1920 with only one or two from 1970-2020. He concludes with a hopeful vision that the future could be vastly better, with technologies like AI, genetic engineering, and fusion energy, and emphasizes the need to believe in and build that future.

206 words

Critical Evaluation

The video presents a compelling and well-articulated argument about the slowdown in human progress, drawing on historical examples and personal analysis. Crawford’s narrative is coherent and engaging, effectively tracing the evolution of the idea of progress from its emergence in the Renaissance to its current challenges. He provides a balanced view, acknowledging the costs and risks of progress while advocating for continued investment and optimism. The argument is supported by specific historical references, such as Francis Bacon and the Industrial Revolution, which lend credibility to his claims. However, the video is primarily an opinion piece rather than a rigorous scientific analysis. Crawford does not provide quantitative data or empirical evidence to substantiate the claim of a slowdown, relying instead on anecdotal examples and personal observation. The comparison between the periods 1870-1920 and 1970-2020 is illustrative but not systematically analyzed. Additionally, the video does not address counterarguments in depth, such as the possibility that progress in information technology and other fields compensates for the slowdown in other sectors. The sources cited are limited to the video’s description, which includes links to Big Think and Crawford’s website, but no direct references to academic studies or data. The title accurately reflects the content, and the video is well-produced with clear visuals and pacing. Overall, the video offers a thought-provoking perspective on the nature of progress, but its scientific rigor is moderate, making it more suitable for a general audience than for experts seeking empirical evidence.

242 words

Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the video's central thesis about a slowdown in human progress, and the content directly addresses this claim.

Quality & Reliability

7/10

The video presents a coherent historical narrative and argument by Jason Crawford, founder of The Roots of Progress, drawing on historical examples and personal analysis. It is an opinion piece rather than a peer-reviewed study, but the argument is well-structured and references historical figures like Francis Bacon. The claims about a slowdown in progress are supported by examples but lack quantitative data. Overall, the content is reliable as an expert perspective, though not empirically rigorous.

Chapters

Cited Sources

Concurring Sources

Dissenting Sources

  • Comment by user: 'I am very sceptical of that what we lack is technological progress optimism. Rather there are physical, economic and knowledge contraints he ignores.' — This comment challenges Crawford's thesis by suggesting that constraints beyond optimism are responsible for the slowdown.

External References

Contribution & Novelties

The video offers a clear and accessible synthesis of the history of the idea of progress, arguing that the current slowdown is due to a loss of belief in progress. It provides a framework for understanding progress as a feedback loop and emphasizes the role of human choice. The comparison of revolutionary periods is a useful heuristic, though not novel. The video’s contribution lies in its persuasive call to renew faith in progress as a driver of future improvement.

Pour aller plus loin :

  • The Roots of Progress — Official website of Jason Crawford’s organization, offering essays and research on the history of progress.
  • Francis Bacon — Wikipedia article on the philosopher who advocated for empirical science and the advancement of knowledge.
  • Industrial Revolution — Wikipedia article providing an overview of the period that transformed technology and society.
  • Technological Progress — Wikipedia article discussing the concept and its measurement.

149 words

Radar Profile

The radar profile shows high scores in quantity of information and reliability, with moderate technical level. This indicates a well-informed opinion piece that is accessible to a general audience, but not deeply technical or empirically rigorous.

Reliability 7/10

💬 The comments are mixed, with some praising the video's insights and others criticizing the narrow focus on technology and ignoring sustainability and other constraints. Overall, the tone is balanced, with a slight lean towards skepticism about the argument.