Critical Theory of Scientific Progress

The application of Critical Theory to narratives of scientific progress—examining how "progress" is defined, who benefits, and what costs are hidden. Critical Theory of Scientific Progress asks: Progress for whom? Measured how? At whose expense? What's lost when we focus only on advances? Drawing on critiques of technological rationality and progress narratives, it insists that scientific progress is never just progress—it's also displacement, destruction, forgetting. Understanding progress requires understanding its shadow.

"Look how far science has come! Critical Theory of Scientific Progress asks: far for whom? At what cost? Scientific progress has meant displacement for some, exploitation for others. The same progress that gave us antibiotics also gave us eugenics. Critical theory insists on asking: progress toward what, for whom, and what's been left behind?"

by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal March 4, 2026

Extreme Raid Progression

or Extreme Raid Prog, is very serious and very hardcore endgame raiding, specifically used within the Final Fantasy XIV community, often shortened to ERP.

"yo this Extreme Raid Progression sesh was really good!"

by Pyrostrike January 12, 2026

Shanker on the prick of progress

interruption of progress as a shanker is a 70s term of a sore from syphilis male genital

We tried to unload the truck but Ed was a shanker on the prick of progress

by John P 5280 August 21, 2010

Theory of Absolute and Relative Progress

The theory that progress operates in two modes: absolute progress (improvement by any standard, for anyone, in any context) and relative progress (improvement within a framework, by certain measures, for certain groups). The Theory of Absolute and Relative Progress argues that claims of progress are often relative masquerading as absolute. Technological progress (new gadgets) may hide social regress (worse working conditions). Economic progress (GDP growth) may hide ecological regress (environmental destruction). The theory calls for distinguishing between the two, for asking "progress for whom?" and "progress by what measure?" before celebrating.

Theory of Absolute and Relative Progress Example: "The government celebrated economic progress—GDP up, markets booming. But inequality had grown, wages had stagnated, the environment had suffered. The Theory of Absolute and Relative Progress explained: relative progress for capital, not absolute progress for people. The celebration was for some, not all. He started asking who was progressing and who was paying."

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