Notion "Idea of Progress", BAC anglais

I’m going to talk about the notion « Idea of progress ».

Progress seems the idea of development, or change in scientific, social and technological sectors. All this advances could make the world better.  But one wonders: to what extend can we talk about progress as an evolution, or a revolution?

Firstly, we will see some forms of progress (technological, scientific, ecological and social changes) and their positive points. Next, we will speak about limits of progress.

In fact, since the beginning of industrial revolution at the beginning of 20th century, innovations and progress have really accelerated, principally in technological sectors. Firstly, technological changes simplifies everyday life of everybody. In fact, with internet for example, purchases are simpler and time saved is significant. Moreover, communications are simpler with internet because you can keep a relation with someone who’s at the other side of the Earth. Technological changes have also enabled some business to distribute their products all around the world, thanks to this new phenomenon called « globalization ». Secondly, scientific changes are essentials in our society. In fact, thanks to scientific advances, care is more accessible because less expensive. In fact, the communication with new means of communication (Internet, TV …) allows to fund research for serious illnesses. This is the reason why life expectancy is more and more old. Next, we will see that ecological advances are essentials to keep safe our Earth. Since some years, consumptions of water and natural resources was boosted, and the Earth more and more polluted, this is the reason why a lot of disasters appeared : global warming, ice melting, holes in the ozone layer, and pollution causing lot of illnesses. That’s why, since around 20 years, engineers from all countries works hard to find innovations to counter this phenomenon. Like shows the document « Tesco goes green », even big companies tries to have a responsible attitude in respect of the environment. In fact, this document shows what do the company to save the Earth: degradable plastic bags, reduction of packaging, promotion of local products … The objective of this store chain is « becoming a 0-carbon business by 2050 ». To finish this part, we will speak about social progress. These are essentials to evolve. In fact, in view of current ecological situation, changing our way to consume and to act is essential. This is why governments tries to make changing attitudes, like shows the document « CR this week », a report speaking about the movement « Car free day » launched in United States. Governments encourages us to take public transports, to practice car-sharing, or simply to ride a bike or walking. All this advances are essentials, but in the second part, we will see that these progress have limits.

In fact, progress have limits. The progress can be very dangerous if it isn’t controlled. The case of social networks. Since a few years, the phenomenon of «cyberbullying» appeared: by using social networks, some malicious persons can threat, send provocative insults or racial or ethnic slurs, gay bash… Moreover, on the web, we don’t always know who’s speaking with us, this is the reason why it can be dangerous for vulnerable persons like kids: many paedophile uses internet. Secondly, about renewable energies, I think they have limits. In fact, only rich persons can equip their house of renewable energies devices because it’s too much expensive. Moreover, actually we can’t live essentially with renewable energies because systems aren’t still enough developed. Furthermore, these systems take a lot of space and aren’t attractive. To finish this part, social progress have limits because everybody cannot stop using their car, indeed those who have to go on their workplace and have no other means of transport are in the obligation to take their car. Eating local products needs a lot of concessions, in fact you can’t find all you want in local food.

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