NEW ESSAY: The Paradox of Progress
We’re living in one of the safest and most prosperous periods in human history — and yet it often feels like everything is unraveling.
That tension is the paradox of progress.
- As living standards rise, so do expectations.
- As systems become more advanced, they feel more fragile.
- The more we build, the more we stand to lose.
- What looks like decline is often the emotional side effect of improvement.
In this month’s essay, I explore the idea that progress simultaneously increases opportunity and anxiety — and explore how this dynamic shows up in modern behavior through FOMO (fear of missing out), FOLO (fear of losing out) and FOBE (fear of being excluded).
I also draw on Stefan Sagmeister’s Now Is Better, a book that examines long-term global data and argues that, despite the noise, humanity is steadily improving. When we step back and look at longer trajectories, the story changes.
>For brands, this paradox matters.
Motivation isn’t driven by optimism alone. It’s shaped by preservation, aspiration and belonging — by what people are trying to protect as much as what they hope to gain.
If you’re thinking about your brand’s role in a rapidly evolving world, this perspective may shift how you frame both risk and opportunity.
Read the essay > |
