Editorial August 19, 1996 Issue

Real advancement in today's world

Russ Gerber

Is there anything that isn't making great breakthroughs and advancing in today's world? We all hear about advances in computer technology, automotive engineering, or products such as exercise equipment and cosmetics—you name it. If we were to take all such claims as guarantees of true progress, we'd have to believe society is moving forward by leaps and bounds!

There certainly are noteworthy improvements taking place in everything from banking services to the design of tennis shoes. The question is, Are we, as individuals and as a society, advancing in the more fundamental areas of life? And how can we measure this?

One benchmark of true advancement, echoed by such things as the progress in computer technology and automotive engineering, is breaking through a human limit—when we're able to do some worthy thing that we've not done, or were not able to do, before. Another indication is reformation. People who at one time rejected, or were not committed to, living upright, caring lives themselves and making a positive contribution to society, but who now try to uphold a moral standard and help others live better lives, certainly have every reason to say they've made significant progress. The same could be said for health—when people are able to live healthier, sounder lives without restoring to material aids, real progress is going on.

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