Celebrations of Progress - A look at some major celebrations of historical achievements, and thoughts about why it seems like nothing similar has happened recently
I'll note that tomorrow marks the 100th anniversary of the informal ratification (formal announcement was August 26th) of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which granted women the right...
I'll note that tomorrow marks the 100th anniversary of the informal ratification (formal announcement was August 26th) of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which granted women the right to vote.
While August has been declared "Women's Suffrage Celebration Month", the celebrations are largely state-by-state and there isn't a single, particular day to celebrate this national achievement. I'm hesitant to speculate about the politics of such a celebration, but there are now distinct, powerful political entities which don't welcome this human rights achievement. [False attribution of negative consequences - "family breakdown", divorce, loss of "traditional" values, etc. certainly plays a role.]
When power is considered a zero-sum game, wins for any disenfranchised group must come at the expense of the usual victors, and we're discouraged from celebrating.
As to major technological achievements, there are so many, coming so quickly these days, that we don't know how to place their importance in context until long after they've occurred. I'd celebrate the annunciation of CRISPR, the achievement of space launch costs under $10,000/kg, or any of a host of other innovations, but the mentioned achievements took proportionately vast public investment or were very physical, on a scale that could practically be seen from orbit.
I'll note that tomorrow marks the 100th anniversary of the informal ratification (formal announcement was August 26th) of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which granted women the right to vote.
While August has been declared "Women's Suffrage Celebration Month", the celebrations are largely state-by-state and there isn't a single, particular day to celebrate this national achievement. I'm hesitant to speculate about the politics of such a celebration, but there are now distinct, powerful political entities which don't welcome this human rights achievement. [False attribution of negative consequences - "family breakdown", divorce, loss of "traditional" values, etc. certainly plays a role.]
When power is considered a zero-sum game, wins for any disenfranchised group must come at the expense of the usual victors, and we're discouraged from celebrating.
As to major technological achievements, there are so many, coming so quickly these days, that we don't know how to place their importance in context until long after they've occurred. I'd celebrate the annunciation of CRISPR, the achievement of space launch costs under $10,000/kg, or any of a host of other innovations, but the mentioned achievements took proportionately vast public investment or were very physical, on a scale that could practically be seen from orbit.