About Us | Human Flourishing Lab
Over the last several centuries, scientific, technological, medical, and social advances have made people’s lives easier, safer, and freer. Yet, there are a number of trends that tell a story of growing cynicism, distrust, disconnection, anxiety, and hopelessness among Americans, perhaps especially among young adults. This juxtaposition of progress and pessimism suggests that despite the many advantages we enjoy today, many Americans believe we are a society and world in decline. People are losing faith in their nation and each other, and are increasingly mentally distressed. These views could prove prophetic to the extent they encourage individuals to retreat from the shared institutions, beliefs, and goals that have contributed to human progress and flourishing. To meet this unprecedented challenge, we must broaden our perspective and think holistically about what it means to truly flourish. A focus on economics and material well-being, while crucially important, is nevertheless an i
About Us Over the last several centuries, scientific, technological, medical, and social advances have made people’s lives easier, safer, and freer. Yet, there are a number of trends that tell a story of growing cynicism, distrust, disconnection, anxiety, and hopelessness among Americans, perhaps especially among young adults. This juxtaposition of progress and pessimism suggests that despite the many advantages we enjoy today, many Americans believe we are a society and world in decline. People are losing faith in their nation and each other, and are increasingly mentally distressed. These vi
related reading
- We Need a New Science of Progress - The Atlantictheatlantic.com
- Roots of Progress Instituterootsofprogress.org
- The Psychology of Progressarchbridgeinstitute.org
- Stripe Press — Ideas for progresspress.stripe.com
- How progress creates its own obstaclesvox.com
- Investigating Human Flourishing at Harvardprofectusmag.com
- Definite optimism as human capital | Dan Wangdanwang.co
- Existential Pessimism vs. Accelerationism: Why Tech Needs a Rational, Humanistic "Third Way"cosmosinstitute.substack.com
- Progress · Patrick Collisonpatrickcollison.com
- Progress Studies reading list — Daniel Maydanielmamay.github.io
- Existential Pessimism vs. Accelerationism: Why Tech Needs a Rational, Humanistic "Third Way"cosmosinstitute.substack.com
- Interview: Peter Thiel on Scientific Stagnationharvardsalient.com