Walden Essay

Progress ultimately benefits society by advancing ways of life. Progress benefits certain aspects of life by creating more efficient means of living. Wherever there is a desire for improvement progress will continue to be made. Such improvement is positive for society. Within a population progress will continue to be made, making it almost unavoidable.  Progress advances the world and simplifies everyday living. Progress benefits the people rather than hurts them. Progress is good in that it helps the development of a civil and advanced society that will be able to preform to it's highest ability.

Progress in the development of a society is one that Thoreau strongly argued against. In his book Walden Thoreau denies progress and development. He says, "Our life is frittered away by detail" (Thoreau 119). However, detail is what defines the fine line between efficiency and deficiency. Progress in the creation of new inventions provide efficiency and quality. One example is the advancements in technology. New technology provides a quicker and easier ways of communication. Gadgets such as the iPhone have greatly enhanced communication and have become assistance to day-to-day life. Progress in technology have improved communication from letters which could take weeks to receive to instant contact to almost anywhere around the world. Progress provides society with greater and more efficient means of living life.

An example of positive progress is the evolution of transportation. One may look no further than their own front door. The development of roads and cars as a main source of transportation is a great improvement from the old fashioned horse and carriages. Even the development of roads back in the 1700s compared to the roads today prove that progress creates efficiency. There very few roads that connected point A to B, and those that existed were almost not navigable. Today, through progression and improvement roads are used by millions of people everyday that provide an accessible and direct route. Railroad systems, trains, buses, and airplanes are examples of the progress of transportation systems has enhanced and benefited life. Thoreau argues, "But if we stay at home and mind our business, who will want railroads"(Walden 491)? However if one never leaves home their entire life they will miss joy and activity found in life. Progress in transportation has provided the world with efficient ways that benefit travel and enjoyment.

Ultimately progress helps to improve the quality of life. Progress eliminates unnecessary challenges and provides the path for a higher quality lifestyle. Without progress the world would be very inefficient. This would make life harder on society, the economy and overall the people. Progress in life is inevitable to some degree. Progress comes from the vision of improvement. Progress is good and helpful because it advances the world and provides a better way of life.