Theory of Progress Spectrum

The theory that progress exists on a spectrum, not as a linear or absolute trajectory. The Theory of Progress Spectrum argues that what counts as progress depends on where you stand, what you value, how you measure. Technological progress (faster computers) may coexist with social regress (greater inequality). Economic progress (GDP growth) may accompany ecological regress (species extinction). The theory calls for mapping progress on multiple spectra—technological, social, ecological, cultural—and recognizing that progress in one dimension may be regress in another. It's the antidote to simplistic narratives of "progress" that ignore trade-offs and exclude perspectives.

Example: "The city celebrated its progress—new buildings, new businesses, new wealth. But longtime residents saw only displacement, destruction of community, loss of culture. The Theory of Progress Spectrum explained: progress on the development spectrum was regress on the community spectrum. Both were real; both were happening simultaneously. The celebration was for some; the mourning was for others. He stopped asking 'is there progress?' and started asking 'progress for whom, and at what cost?'"

by Abzugal February 21, 2026

The 2 Axes of the Progress Spectrum

A foundational model for understanding progress along two fundamental dimensions. The first axis runs from Material Progress (advances in technology, standard of living, physical well-being—things you can measure in GDP, calories, square footage) to Moral Progress (advances in ethics, human rights, justice, dignity—things you can't measure but know when you see them). The second axis runs from Individual Progress (personal development, capability, freedom) to Collective Progress (societal advancement, institutional improvement, shared flourishing). These two axes create four quadrants: material-individual (personal wealth), material-collective (public infrastructure), moral-individual (personal virtue development), moral-collective (civil rights advancements). The model reveals that "progress" isn't one thing—it's a spectrum of improvements that don't always move together.

The 2 Axes of the Progress Spectrum "We have more stuff than ever, but are we better people? The 2 Axes of the Progress Spectrum show the tension: material progress is up, moral progress is... debatable. You can't just say 'things are getting better' without specifying which axis. Progress on one doesn't guarantee progress on the other."

by Dumu The Void February 25, 2026

The 4 Axes of the Progress Spectrum

An expanded model adding two crucial dimensions to the basic framework. Axis 1: Material-Moral (stuff vs. ethics). Axis 2: Individual-Collective (me vs. us). Axis 3: Linear-Cyclical (steady advancement vs. wave-like progress that comes and goes). Axis 4: Absolute-Relative (progress against fixed standards vs. progress compared to others). These four axes create sixteen progress-types. The 20th century saw dramatic material progress (absolute) that was unevenly distributed (relative failure), with moral progress that was real but cyclical (rights advanced, then backslid). The 4 Axes reveal that progress debates often talk past each other because they're on different axes entirely.

The 4 Axes of the Progress Spectrum "You say we're making progress because technology advances. I say we're not because inequality grows. The 4 Axes show: you're on material, absolute, linear. I'm on material, relative, also linear. Same axis family, different positions. We're both right—and both wrong about the whole picture."

by Dumu The Void February 25, 2026

The 6 Axes of the Progress Spectrum

A comprehensive model adding two further dimensions for deeper analysis. Axis 1: Material-Moral. Axis 2: Individual-Collective. Axis 3: Linear-Cyclical. Axis 4: Absolute-Relative. Axis 5: Intended-Unintended (progress by design vs. progress as side effect). Axis 6: Reversible-Irreversible (can be lost vs. permanent advancement). These six axes generate sixty-four progress-types. Vaccines are material, collective, linear-ish, absolute (mostly), intended, relatively irreversible (polio isn't coming back). Civil rights are moral, collective, cyclical, relative (always contested), intended, reversible (rights can be taken). The 6 Axes reveal that different kinds of progress have different dynamics, different vulnerabilities, different causes.

The 6 Axes of the Progress Spectrum "You think progress is inevitable. The 6 Axes show otherwise: some progress is reversible, some is unintended, some is cyclical. Rights can be lost. Peace can end. Wisdom can disappear. The axes tell you what kind of progress you're dealing with—and whether you need to defend it or just enjoy it."

by Dumu The Void February 25, 2026

The 8 Axes of the Progress Spectrum

A detailed model adding dimensions of temporality and distribution. Axis 1: Material-Moral. Axis 2: Individual-Collective. Axis 3: Linear-Cyclical. Axis 4: Absolute-Relative. Axis 5: Intended-Unintended. Axis 6: Reversible-Irreversible. Axis 7: Fast-Slow (rapid transformation vs. gradual change). Axis 8: Concentrated-Diffuse (progress accrues to few vs. spreads to many). These eight axes create 256 progress-types, mapping the full complexity of human advancement. The Green Revolution was material, collective, linear, absolute (in yield), intended, reversible (soil depletion), fast, concentrated (big farms benefited most). The internet was material and moral mixed, individual and collective, linear in some ways cyclical in others, absolute and relative, largely unintended, probably irreversible, extremely fast, initially diffuse then concentrated.

The 8 Axes of the Progress Spectrum "Everyone celebrates technological progress, but the 8 Axes ask: what kind? Fast? Yes. Diffuse? Initially, now no. Reversible? Probably not. Intended? Not really. Moral? Debatable. You can't just say 'progress'—you have to specify all eight axes, or you're not really talking about progress, you're talking about change."

by Dumu The Void February 25, 2026

The 12 Axes of the Progress Spectrum

An ultra-fine-grained model adding dimensions of scale and relationship to human flourishing. Building on the 8 Axes, we add: Axis 9: Shallow-Deep (surface-level change vs. fundamental transformation). Axis 10: Compatible-Incompatible (progress that aligns with human nature vs. progress that requires changing it). Axis 11: Measurable-Unmeasurable (quantifiable gains vs. qualitative improvements). Axis 12: Sustainable-Untenable (can continue vs. contains seeds of its own reversal). These twelve axes generate 4096 progress-types. Democracy is moral, collective, cyclical, relative, intended, reversible, slow, diffuse, deep, compatible (arguably), unmeasurable (in some aspects), sustainable (if maintained). Social media "progress" is material, individual, fast, concentrated, shallow, possibly incompatible with human psychology, measurable (engagement), and increasingly looking untenable.

The 12 Axes of the Progress Spectrum "You want to measure progress? The 12 Axes give you homework. Is it deep or shallow? Compatible with human nature or fighting it? Sustainable or about to collapse? Measurable or beyond numbers? Most of what we call progress fails on at least half these axes. That's not cynicism—that's just paying attention."

by Dumu The Void February 25, 2026

The 16 Axes of the Progress Spectrum

The ultimate model, adding the final dimensions of existential and metaphysical significance. Building on the 12 Axes, we add: Axis 13: Human-Posthuman (progress for humans as we are vs. progress that transforms us into something else). Axis 14: Immanent-Transcendent (progress within history vs. progress toward something beyond it). Axis 15: Cumulative-Transformative (adding to what came before vs. replacing it entirely). Axis 16: Meaningful-Meaningless (progress that matters vs. progress that is empty). These sixteen axes generate 65,536 potential positions—enough to capture every vision of progress, every critique, every hope. The 16 Axes reveal that progress isn't a single direction but a multidimensional space of possibilities. AI progress is material, collective (and individual), fast, concentrated, deep (transforming cognition), possibly incompatible with human nature as we know it, measurable, possibly untenable, posthuman (changing what "human" means), immanent (within history), transformative (replacing previous modes), and profoundly contested on the meaningfulness axis. The 16 Axes don't tell you what progress is—they give you language to ask.

The 16 Axes of the Progress Spectrum "You want to know if we're making progress? First, answer the 16 Axes: material or moral? Individual or collective? Fast or slow? Concentrated or diffuse? Deep or shallow? Compatible with human nature or transforming it? Immanent or transcendent? Meaningful or meaningless? And that's just half the list. Progress isn't a simple story—it's 16 questions, and your answers determine everything. Most people haven't even asked one."

by Dumu The Void February 25, 2026