The notion of progress for the Bac.
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The Notion of Progress What is progress? It is the idea that the world can become increasingly better in terms of science, technology, modernization, liberty, democracy, quality of life..... What effect does this progress have on our society? Does it have a positive or a negative effect? Do certain new technologies bring people closer together or do they alienate us? What effect does this progress have on our culture?
1. Scientific Progress - Medical advances, cures for illnesses, cloning, performance enhancing drugs, genetically modified organisms. 2. Technological Progress: - New technologies to slow down climate change such as hybrid cars, wind turbines, solar panels, biofuel..... - advances in communication: the internet, social media, mobile phones, video games - how they have changed our lives and the dangers of these modern ways of communication - 3. Social Progress: Changes in the quality of life - how does progress affect our society? Education, employment, equality, family life Women's rights, human rights, minority rights ...... The idea of liberty, freedom, democracy
In class we studied many texts and saw many examples of progress.
First of all with the film Gattaca and the selection of embryos to create the perfect individual. The film also raises the crucial issue of identity. Do genes really determine our future life and chances of success?
Also we saw that we can now use a 3D printer to design and print our very own objects. We can very easily personalize trainers, clothes and accessories..
We also studied the negative impact of technology and progress with a campaign to prevent texting and driving. It shows us how dangerous it can turn out to be when surely a text can wait.