Critical Theory of Progress

The application of Critical Theory to the concept of progress—examining how narratives of progress serve power, whose progress is counted, whose is ignored, and what costs are hidden. Critical Theory of Progress asks: Progress for whom? At whose expense? Measured by what standards? Who benefits from believing we're progressing? It doesn't reject progress but insists on asking hard questions: progress toward what? For whom? And what's been left behind? Progress without critique is just the powerful congratulating themselves.

"Look how far we've come, they say. Critical Theory of Progress asks: who's 'we'? Who's been left behind? What's been destroyed along the way? Progress for some has meant displacement for others. Critical theory doesn't deny progress; it insists on asking whose progress, at what cost, and whether we could progress differently."

by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal March 4, 2026

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

South Park Progressive

Someone who's incredibly edgy for the reactions they get but is actually progressive and accepting on the inside... when you get to know them. This is in the same vein about how the creators of South Park are very liberal but use derogatory humor to express their views and get a reaction.

Friend 1: "Did Joey seriously make a 9/11 joke then make an explosion noise?"
Friend 2: "Ya, but he's a South Park progressive. He likes to be offensive but actually has very liberal views despite his humor."

by big_bright_green_meme_machine February 3, 2025

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