Why progress is hard to see

Societal progress often remains invisible because humans are wired to focus on immediate threats and catastrophes rather than slow, structural shifts. While political backlashes and authoritarian surges dominate the news, these reactions are evidence of profound, successful transformations in values regarding equality, human rights, and environmental responsibility. The contemporary "ideology of isolation"—rooted in hyper-individualism—denies our fundamental interdependence, fueling loneliness and political despair. Writer and activist Rebecca Solnit argues that recognizing these long-term gains is essential for sustaining political momentum. Rather than succumbing to defeatism, viewing history through a longer lens reveals that while no victory is final, the foundational shifts in norms and beliefs are irreversible. Embracing uncertainty as a space for possibility allows for the continued defense and expansion of these hard-won gains, transforming political engagement from a reactive struggle into a proactive, collective project.