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Posts Tagged ‘progress’

this week: defining progress

In economics on 30 June 2008 tagged diy, diy movement, economic development, economic pressure, illich, market pressure, progress, technological progress, weeklies with 10 comments

Progress is the problem
Illich was the first to point out to me the potentially toxic nature of the idea[l] of “progress.” And I have yet to come up with a satisfactory outlook on how to couch progress in a consistent, empowering, and safe way. I don’t want an asymptotic vision of progress that [...]

“progress” can be a pernicious roadbloack to reform

In edumication, narrative, politics on 29 November 2007 tagged coffee-spoons, education, fixing-things, health-care, illich, ivan-illich, medical-care, medical-nemesis, medicine, progress, propaganda, reform, technology with no comments

It’s essential to keep in mind that when you’re trying to talk to somebody about a field that perceived as rapidly progressing, you need to be more vigilant about securing the timeliness of your credibility. Reading Illich’s Medical Nemesis, I found myself constantly questioning his conclusions, given their foundation upon statements like:

Awe-inspiring medical technology [...]