A Common Misconception About History: The Illusion of Progress
One of the most persistent misconceptions about history is the belief in linear progress—the idea that society is always moving forward, improving, and evolving toward a better state. This belief, often summed up in phrases like “the world is advancing” or “times are improving,” dominates modern thinking but is deeply flawed.

The Mirage of Progress
At first glance, the idea of progress seems self-evident. Life has become more convenient, technology has improved, and many diseases that once ravaged humanity are now treatable or eradicated. Yet, this focus on material and technological advancements obscures the complexities and trade-offs inherent in these changes. Progress, especially in the modern sense, is not a universal good.

Convenience vs. Monotony: Modern society offers unprecedented convenience, but it also strips away much of life’s diversity and richness. The natural rhythms of life, once intertwined with culture and environment, have given way to a standardized, industrialized existence. The result is a world that, while efficient, often feels monotonous and uninspired.

The Cost of Modernization: Older generations sometimes lament, “You’ve never tasted real food” or “You don’t know what life was like in the past.” Younger people often dismiss these sentiments, thinking their mastery of technology and global connectivity proves superiority. But this misses a crucial point: what modernity gains in efficiency, it loses in cultural depth, ecological balance, and personal fulfillment. Few stop to question the price paid for these conveniences.

Evolution Misinterpreted
The misconception of historical progress is rooted in a broader misunderstanding of evolution. Many equate evolution with improvement, assuming that biological or societal changes are inherently positive steps forward. This is not the case.

Evolution’s True Nature: Evolution is not about becoming “better” but about adapting to specific environments. Sometimes, adaptation involves simplification or loss rather than gain—what might be seen as regression in one context can be survival in another.

Society and Darwinism: The application of Darwinian principles to society—“social Darwinism”—is a dangerous oversimplification. Societies do not evolve in a predetermined direction. The rise of modernity was not inevitable but an accidental product of specific historical, economic, and cultural conditions.

The Role of Monotheistic Beliefs
The notion of inevitable progress finds its deepest roots in the linear worldview of monotheistic traditions. These traditions often emphasize a narrative of history moving toward a final, triumphant conclusion—an ultimate “happy ending.” This perspective contrasts sharply with cyclical views of history found in other cultures, which recognize the impermanence and interconnectedness of all things.

Christianity and Modernity: In Western thought, the idea of progress is tightly bound to Christian eschatology, where history is seen as moving toward the fulfillment of divine plans. This belief persisted into the Enlightenment, shaping ideologies like capitalism and socialism. For example, the Calvinist ethos linked material success with divine favor, fueling the rise of modern commerce and industry.

Global Consequences: This progress-oriented mindset spread worldwide, often overriding local traditions and perspectives. The global race for efficiency, expansion, and technological dominance now drives ecological destruction and cultural homogenization, threatening the planet’s balance.

The Illusion of Freedom and Choice
One hallmark of modern society is the belief in freedom, particularly the ability to change jobs, locations, or lifestyles at will. But this freedom is often superficial.

Standardization and Conformity: Industrialization’s reliance on interchangeable parts extends beyond machinery to people. Modern education, modeled on industrial systems, produces standardized workers rather than critical thinkers. This has led to a world where individuality is often sacrificed for efficiency and productivity.

The Machine of Modern Life: Modern society functions like a massive industrial machine, demanding efficiency at the cost of diversity. Whether in capitalist or socialist forms, the system prioritizes perpetual growth, creating a monoculture of thought and action that stifles creativity and innovation.

Rethinking Progress
To challenge the myth of historical progress, we must reevaluate our understanding of modernity and its consequences:

Acknowledge Trade-offs: Recognize that every advance comes with costs—cultural, ecological, or psychological. Not all changes are improvements.

Embrace Diversity: Resist the push toward standardization by valuing diverse ways of life and thought. Traditional cultures often hold wisdom that modernity overlooks.

Question Linear Narratives: Understand that history is not a straight path but a complex web of choices, chance events, and unintended consequences.

Redefine Success: Shift from measuring progress by material wealth or technological prowess to valuing ecological balance, cultural richness, and human well-being.

Conclusion
The belief in historical progress is a comforting illusion, but it blinds us to the complexities and contradictions of modernity. While technology and convenience have undeniably improved many aspects of life, they have also introduced new challenges and eroded much of what makes life meaningful. By questioning the myth of progress, we can move toward a more balanced, nuanced understanding of history—one that respects the past, acknowledges the present, and prepares for an uncertain future.





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请翻译成中文版。
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关于历史的一个常见误解：进步的幻象
关于历史的一个最普遍的误解就是线性进步论——即社会总是在向前发展、改善，并不断迈向更好的状态。这种观念往往通过“时代在进步”或“社会在发展”这样的口号表现出来，深入人心。然而，这种信念却经不起仔细推敲。

进步的海市蜃楼
表面上看，进步似乎是显而易见的。生活变得更加便利，科技得到了发展，许多曾经肆虐的疾病如今都可以治疗或根除。然而，聚焦于物质和技术进步的视角，却掩盖了这些变化中复杂的权衡与代价。所谓的“进步”，尤其是现代意义上的进步，并非全然的好事。

便利与单调：现代社会的确带来了前所未有的便利，但也剥夺了生活本身的多样性和丰富性。过去那种与自然和文化紧密相连的生活节奏，如今被标准化和工业化取代了。结果是，一个高效但单调的世界，令人常感乏味。

现代化的代价：老一辈人常感慨，“你们这些年轻人没吃过好东西”或“没体会过过去的美好生活”。年轻人通常不以为然，觉得自己能熟练使用手机、电脑，甚至会几国语言，就证明比前人更“进步”。但他们忽略了一点：现代化带来的便利，是以文化深度、生态平衡和个人幸福感的丧失为代价的。少有人思考，这种便利究竟付出了怎样的代价。

被误解的进化
历史进步论的误解，实际上源于对“进化”的普遍误读。许多人将进化等同于改善，认为无论是生物演化还是社会变化，都是在向“更好”的方向发展。这种看法并不正确。

进化的本质：进化的目的并不是“变得更好”，而是为了适应特定的环境。有时，这种适应甚至可能表现为简化或退化——在某些情况下，所谓的“退步”反而是更适合生存的选择。

社会与达尔文主义：将达尔文的理论套用于社会的“社会达尔文主义”是一种危险的过度简化。社会的演变并非朝着某种固定方向发展。现代化的出现并非必然，而是某些历史、经济和文化条件下的偶然产物。

一神信仰的影响
历史进步论最深的根源可以追溯到一神信仰的线性世界观。这种信仰通常强调历史朝着一个最终的、胜利的结局发展——一个“圆满的终点”。这种视角与许多其他文化的循环历史观形成鲜明对比，后者更强调万物的无常和相互联系。

基督教与现代性：在西方思想中，进步观念与基督教末世论紧密相连，将历史视为实现神圣计划的过程。这种信念延续到启蒙运动时期，塑造了资本主义和社会主义等思想。例如，加尔文主义将物质上的成功与“被上帝选中”联系在一起，推动了现代商业和工业的兴起。

全球化的后果：这种以进步为核心的思想传遍全球，往往取代了地方传统和其他视角。如今，全球范围内对效率、扩张和技术支配的追求，正驱动生态破坏和文化同质化，威胁着地球的平衡。

表面自由与选择的幻象
现代社会的一个标志性特点是对自由的信仰，尤其是跳槽、迁徙或改变生活方式的自由。但这种自由往往是表面的。

标准化与同质化：工业化对可替换零件的依赖，不仅体现在机器上，也体现在人身上。现代教育以工业体系为模型，培养的是标准化的工人，而不是独立思考者。这导致了一个牺牲个性以追求效率和生产力的世界。

现代生活的机器化：现代社会如同一个庞大的工业机器，以效率为目标，不惜代价。无论是资本主义还是社会主义，这一系统都优先考虑无限增长，最终制造出思想与行为的单一化，扼杀了创造力和多样性。

重新思考进步
为了挑战历史进步论的神话，我们需要重新审视现代化及其后果：

承认权衡：认识到每一次进步都伴随着代价——无论是文化、生态还是心理上的代价。并非所有变化都是改善。

拥抱多样性：抵制标准化，珍视多样化的生活方式和思想。传统文化中往往蕴藏着被现代性忽视的智慧。

质疑线性叙事：理解历史并非一条直线，而是由无数选择、偶然事件和意外后果交织而成的复杂网络。

重新定义成功：从以物质财富或技术成就衡量进步，转向关注生态平衡、文化丰富性和人类幸福感。

结语
历史进步论是一种令人安慰的幻象，但它让我们忽略了现代性的复杂性和矛盾。尽管科技和便利的确改善了生活的许多方面，它们也带来了新的挑战，削弱了生活的意义。通过质疑进步的神话，我们可以迈向对历史更平衡、更深刻的理解——一种既尊重过去，又直面当下，并为不确定的未来做好准备的历史观。





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请将下文翻译成英文. 主要就是历史进步论，所谓“社会在发展，时代在进步”是个假象。一方面人们生活越来越方便快捷，另一面这个世界也越来越单调乏味。我老是在说摩登社会乏味，我估计出生在这个社会的年轻人未必有多 
大的体会。例如常有人感叹你们年轻人没尝过好滋味，没吃过好东西。这些儿孙服气吗？再过几十年，没人感叹了，还有人知道我们为了所谓进步的方便快捷的现代社会付出了多大的代价吗？年轻人以为自己电脑手机用得很溜甚至会说几国语言就说明自己进化了，比曹雪芹苏东坡李太白厉害多了。真是个笑话。生命的演化并没有固定的方向，何来进化之说？如果是退化更适合环境，自然选择的就是退化。生物进化论就是错的。更何况社会达尔文主义。我估计历史进步论来自一神信仰。在此类文化圈内的人，不自觉地会设想一个happy ending. 因为上帝或真主是至仁至善的。因此虽然不合逻辑，人们还是会以为达尔文为他们的历史进步论提供了理论支持。包括马克思这个犹太文化圈里的人。中国在五四以后，进化论也深入人心。以至于“时代在进步，社会在发展”之类的口号朗朗上口，不断回响。我认为，摩登化并非社会线性发展的必然，而是一种偶然产生的突变。而且不是什么只有好没有坏的突变。普通人的眼光只关注自己的物质生活，那么的确可以发现越来越舒适越来越方便快捷。这主要由于在荷兰发端的摩登商业追求把工业品提供给每个普通的消费者。 因为每个公司都追求快速高效地膨胀，以便于在股市画无限发展的大饼，促进了与工业相关的科技的大发展。如果只关注自己生活质量的提高，那么首先该感谢的是关于能量使用精确化的发明或发现，例如电的使用与半导体的使用。因为能量守恒，无所谓消耗，不存在够不够用，要不要去抢的问题，只存在你会不会用，用得精不精的问题。另外，被标准化为整个体系的可替换零件后，人们似乎获得了某种随意跳槽的自由，不像如同有机体的传统社会，这算不算一种进步呢？综上所述，生物演化非进化，社会也并没有必然进化，摩登化也不是什么100%的大好事,只是拜摩登商业模式的转变与科技的发展，人们的生活水平的确提高了。金观涛说得不错，如果以向内还是向外，以及入世还是出世为两个变量，这世界应该会有四种轴心文化。不知道是不是巧合，这四种文化地球上都有。先抛开向内而入世的古中华道德文化，先内而出世的古印度解脱文化，以及向外而入世的古希腊求知文化不提，单论向外而出世的解脱文化，为什么是一神呢？外物有灵应该是比较自然会产生的观念，事实上各民族各自单独发展的也都是差不多的多神体系。顶多有个宙斯之类的主神而已。一神信仰很不自然，而且也不合逻辑。因为有阳就有阴，有光明就有黑暗。如果全无黑暗，也就无所谓光明。一神信仰无法排除所谓魔鬼的存在，为了解决永远光荣至大正确只能胜利的逻辑陷阱，一神信仰不得不宣扬最终之战，也就是所谓的末世。这个奇怪的一神信仰，如果只是每周一次聚在一起像一群神经病一样期待末日也就罢了。没想到黑死病动摇了上层的信仰，借文艺复兴之名腐败堕落，下层在黑丝病后反而坚定了信仰，对梵蒂冈不满，自我解释圣经，出现了卡尔文宗。在荷兰搞出了摩登商业，在英国搞出了工业革命，其内在的理念是把圣战引入了工商业，不仅用虔敬的敬业，更要用世俗的成功，一场又一场的胜利证明自己是被上帝选中的。各国不得不追赶，无论举的是什么旗帜，内在的逻辑是一样的。这真是及其糟糕的事。以至于我在网上遇到了要所谓脱支的人。哪怕换皮换语言不换芯是没用的。建议自我洗脑，从战神耶和华到永远胜利的基督，从以致富成大统证明自己是the chosen one 到革命胜利之外王证明永远光荣，从一个胜利走向另一个胜利，永远是winner。不要奇怪，这两边的阵营本来就是一路货，看似水火不容，不过就是些昊天、上帝、真主、真理的名词之争(背后一味光明没有黑暗的憨直逻辑是一样蠢的）。脱支？真是不知道自己在说什么。从一块砖到另一堵墙，从一个螺丝钉到另一套类古代军事帝国的摩登商业机器，一样过度追求效率，追求高速扩张，过度的标准化把世界搞得如此单调乏味，类军事长期备战的摩登教育把所有人不分东西都搞成了傻子，包括所谓的阿尔法male,生态圈都快被他们的垃圾搞崩溃，这很值得其骄傲？你们要换皮去效仿？不知所谓。
ChatGPT 说：

The Illusion of Historical Progress: A Critical Reflection
The belief in historical progress—the notion that "society is advancing" and "the times are improving"—is a widespread illusion. While life has indeed become more convenient and efficient, this world has simultaneously grown more monotonous and uninspiring. I often lament the dullness of modern society, but I suspect that those born into this era may not fully grasp what has been lost.

Take, for instance, the frequent comments from older generations: “You young people have never tasted real flavors” or “You’ve never experienced the good things in life.” These remarks are often dismissed by younger people, who feel confident in their mastery of smartphones and computers, or their ability to speak multiple languages. They believe these skills prove they are more "advanced" than historical figures like Cao Xueqin, Su Dongpo, or Li Bai. What a joke!

Life's evolution does not follow a fixed direction, so where does this notion of “progress” even come from? If regression better suits the environment, natural selection will favor regression. In fact, the very idea of biological evolution as “progress” is a misconception, let alone the idea of “social Darwinism.”

I suspect the belief in historical progress stems from monotheistic faith. In cultures influenced by such beliefs, people unconsciously imagine a “happy ending” for history, because God or Allah is regarded as omnibenevolent. Though illogical, many assume Darwin provided theoretical support for their belief in progress. Even figures like Marx, rooted in the Jewish cultural tradition, were not immune to this way of thinking.

In China, after the May Fourth Movement, the idea of evolution and progress deeply penetrated public consciousness. As a result, slogans like “the times are advancing” and “society is developing” became ingrained in the collective psyche, endlessly repeated and accepted without question. However, I believe modernity is not an inevitable linear development of society but an accidental mutation—one that is not purely beneficial.

Modern Convenience at a Cost
From the perspective of ordinary people, it’s easy to focus on improvements in material life. Indeed, life today is more comfortable, convenient, and efficient. This is largely due to the modern commercial model that originated in the Netherlands, which aimed to make industrial products accessible to ordinary consumers. Companies, in their relentless pursuit of rapid growth and efficiency, fueled the industrial and technological revolutions, ultimately enabling these material advances.

If we credit anything for the improvement in living standards, it should be the precise use of energy, such as the utilization of electricity and semiconductors. The law of energy conservation ensures that energy itself isn’t “consumed” or “exhausted”—there’s no need to fight over it. The key question is whether you know how to use it efficiently.

Additionally, the standardization of interchangeable parts within industrial systems created a certain sense of freedom—people can now change jobs or industries more easily, unlike in traditional organic societies. But does this really count as progress?

Evolution, Not Progress
Biological evolution is not synonymous with progress, and neither is societal development. Modernization is far from an unqualified good. It is the result of shifts in commercial practices and technological advancements, which have undoubtedly improved living standards but also exacted significant costs.

The Role of Axial Cultures
Jin Guantao insightfully observed that the world’s cultures can be categorized along two axes: inward vs. outward focus and worldly engagement vs. transcendence. This framework results in four major cultural types, all of which are present globally. For now, let’s set aside the inward-worldly moral culture of ancient China, the inward-transcendent liberation culture of ancient India, and the outward-worldly pursuit of knowledge in ancient Greece. Instead, let’s consider the outward-transcendent liberation culture, which is often linked to monotheism.

Belief in spirits in nature seems like a natural, universal worldview. Historically, most civilizations independently developed polytheistic systems, typically with a primary deity like Zeus but without exclusive monotheism. Monotheism is an unnatural and illogical construct. For every “light,” there must be “darkness”; for every “good,” there is “evil.” Without darkness, light has no meaning. Monotheism cannot eliminate the existence of the so-called devil. To resolve the logical trap of an ever-victorious, all-good God, monotheism must invoke the concept of a final battle—the apocalyptic end of days.

The Strange Legacy of Monotheism
This peculiar monotheistic worldview might be tolerable if it were merely a matter of weekly gatherings for doomsday prayers. But the Black Death shook the faith of the elites and gave rise to corruption under the guise of the Renaissance. Meanwhile, the lower classes became even more devout after the plague, leading to dissatisfaction with the Vatican and the emergence of Calvinism. Calvinism introduced modern commerce in the Netherlands and the Industrial Revolution in Britain. Its core ideology brought the crusading spirit into commerce and industry. Through devout work ethics and secular success, each victory became proof of being chosen by God.

This mindset forced other nations to follow suit, regardless of the banners they raised. Beneath it all lies the same logic: endless expansion, efficiency, and competition. This is a deeply troubling phenomenon.

Monotony and Standardization
I have even encountered people online advocating for "脱支" (denouncing Chinese identity). But even if you change appearances or languages, it’s meaningless without changing the underlying principles. Such individuals need to re-educate themselves. From the militant Yahweh to the ever-victorious Christ, from equating wealth with divine favor to proving perpetual glory through revolutionary success, these ideologies march from one “victory” to another, always striving to be the “winner.”

Do not be surprised—these seemingly opposing camps are essentially cut from the same cloth. Their differences are mere battles over names—whether Haotian, God, Allah, or Truth. Beneath it all is the same simplistic logic of eternal light without darkness.

What is the point of denouncing one system only to imitate another? From one brick to another wall, from one cog in the machine to another system of modern industrial empires, the pursuit of efficiency and rapid expansion has made the world unbearably monotonous. Over-standardization has drained life of its diversity, and the militarized, long-term preparation in modern education has turned everyone, East or West, into fools—including the so-called alpha males. With ecosystems nearing collapse under the weight of human waste, is this truly something to boast about?

To those seeking to emulate this system: you don’t know what you’re saying.