What we’re about
PURPOSE: an in-person reading & discussion group engaging with the history of science, technology, and industry to understand how these have and can best support human flourishing.
CONTEXT: For an introduction to progress studies or the progress movement, see Why Study Progress, We Need a New Philosophy of Progress, We Need a New Science of Progress or more resources.
WHEN & WHERE: Wednesday evenings at Vintage Bookstore and Wine Bar, 2x / month. Readings are posted on meetup and shared via email 1+ week prior.
CONTENT: Readings typically consist of 2-4 essays, articles, or blog posts on a chosen topic in the history science, technology, or industry combined with forward looking positional writing from WIP, IFP, Roots of Progress, or the like. Past readings have looked at: the concept of progress, the blast furnace and steel production, factory safety and the toyota production system, progress glamour, industrial literacy, pandemic prevention, pallets, standards, and food history, among others.
PARTICIPATION: No prior engagement with progress studies or the broader community is necessary. We welcome curious minds interested in progress, humanism, and agency—whether you’re deeply invested or just exploring. Expect a range of viewpoints and constructive, thoughtful dialogue. Readings investigate both historical successes (to build on) and failures (to learn from); participants tend to have a positive or interested view of technological development on the whole, but critiques are common and respectful, engaged skepticism is welcome too. Interrogate the readings as much as you can in advance and come with questions and comments - if you only have time to do a quick read through, then come curious.
FORMAT:
1 - Intros
2 - Light context on first reading
3 - General reactions
4 - Deeper dive
Upcoming events (1)
See all- Nuclear Energy (round 2): prospectsVintage Bookstore and Wine Bar, Austin , TX
Image: an experimental fusion reactor in Naka Japan - photo of via wikimedia commons
When: 6:30PM Wednesday May 7th
Where: Vintage Wine Bar & Bookstore (google) - 1101 E 11th St
The Works in Progress newsletter recently included a syllabus for nuclear power. The following are a selection for our second discussion focusing on future prospects.
Readings:
Taming the Stars by John Myers
Smaller Wonders by Eamonn Ives
Building Back Faster by Sam DumitriuOptional:
Revitalizing Nuclear: The UK Can Power AI and Lead the Clean-Energy Transition - by the Tony Blair Institute
A simple solution to the energy crisis, Pieter Garicano
Don't switch off clean power by Sam DumitriuWho should join?
No prior engagement with progress studies or the broader community is necessary. We welcome curious minds interested in progress, humanism, and agency—whether you’re deeply invested or just exploring. Expect a range of viewpoints and constructive, thoughtful dialogue.Discussion Format:
1 - Introductions
2 - Summary of reading
3 - First impressions
4 - Deep dive
