Jason Crawford
@jasoncrawford.org
The Roots of Progress (rootsofprogress.org)
The links digest is back!
Claude’s soul, industrial leapfrogging, slop from the 1700s, the genius of Jeff Dean, and much more
Links and short notes, 2025-12-19: newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/links-and-...
Claude’s soul, industrial leapfrogging, slop from the 1700s, the genius of Jeff Dean, and much more
Links and short notes, 2025-12-19: newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/links-and-...
Links and short notes, 2025-12-19
Claude’s soul, industrial leapfrogging, slop from the 1700s, the genius of Jeff Dean, and much more
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org
December 19, 2025 at 6:56 PM
The links digest is back!
Claude’s soul, industrial leapfrogging, slop from the 1700s, the genius of Jeff Dean, and much more
Links and short notes, 2025-12-19: newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/links-and-...
Claude’s soul, industrial leapfrogging, slop from the 1700s, the genius of Jeff Dean, and much more
Links and short notes, 2025-12-19: newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/links-and-...
When the cost of creation falls, the volume of production greatly expands, but the average quality necessarily falls. This overall process, however, will usher in a golden age of creativity and experimentation
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/in-defense...
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/in-defense...
In defense of slop
When costs fall, average quality does too
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org
December 16, 2025 at 5:42 PM
When the cost of creation falls, the volume of production greatly expands, but the average quality necessarily falls. This overall process, however, will usher in a golden age of creativity and experimentation
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/in-defense...
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/in-defense...
Announcing a career exploration summer program for high school students: *Progress in Medicine*
Learn from experts and be inspired by heroic work from the past to build an even better future. Now accepting applications
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/announcing...
Learn from experts and be inspired by heroic work from the past to build an even better future. Now accepting applications
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/announcing...
Announcing Progress in Medicine, a high school summer career exploration program
Help spread the word so talented teens can be inspired to tackle challenges in medicine, biotech, health policy, and longevity
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org
December 11, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Announcing a career exploration summer program for high school students: *Progress in Medicine*
Learn from experts and be inspired by heroic work from the past to build an even better future. Now accepting applications
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/announcing...
Learn from experts and be inspired by heroic work from the past to build an even better future. Now accepting applications
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/announcing...
Instead of debating whether a technology is inherently good or bad, let’s discuss how to navigate new landscapes—and recognize the responsibility we all have to do so. A dynamic, agentic view of our relationship to technology, not a static, passive one
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/a-healthy-...
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/a-healthy-...
A healthy relationship with technology
A dynamic, agentic framing on the challenges of progress
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org
November 6, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Instead of debating whether a technology is inherently good or bad, let’s discuss how to navigate new landscapes—and recognize the responsibility we all have to do so. A dynamic, agentic view of our relationship to technology, not a static, passive one
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/a-healthy-...
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/a-healthy-...
The Techno-Humanist Manifesto, Chapter 10: The Grand Project
Progress is a grand project for humanity: one with an illustrious past and a glorious future. And its heroes are the scientist, the inventor, and the founder
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-grand-...
Progress is a grand project for humanity: one with an illustrious past and a glorious future. And its heroes are the scientist, the inventor, and the founder
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-grand-...
The Grand Project
Chapter 10 of The Techno-Humanist Manifesto
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org
October 10, 2025 at 4:03 PM
The Techno-Humanist Manifesto, Chapter 10: The Grand Project
Progress is a grand project for humanity: one with an illustrious past and a glorious future. And its heroes are the scientist, the inventor, and the founder
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-grand-...
Progress is a grand project for humanity: one with an illustrious past and a glorious future. And its heroes are the scientist, the inventor, and the founder
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-grand-...
Flush with the grand success of reason and science to improve human life, the 20th century stumbled into some critical errors. The resulting crisis of optimism posed a mortal challenge to the idea of progress:
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-spirit...
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-spirit...
The Spirit We Lost, part 2
Chapter 9 of The Techno-Humanist Manifesto
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org
October 1, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Flush with the grand success of reason and science to improve human life, the 20th century stumbled into some critical errors. The resulting crisis of optimism posed a mortal challenge to the idea of progress:
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-spirit...
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-spirit...
Reposted by Jason Crawford
Some people think Open Phil are luddites because we work on AGI safety, and others think we’re techno-utopians because we work on abundance and scientific progress. We’re neither. Here's why we think safety and accelerating progress go hand in hand: 🧵
www.openphilanthropy.org/research/wh...
www.openphilanthropy.org/research/wh...
September 30, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Some people think Open Phil are luddites because we work on AGI safety, and others think we’re techno-utopians because we work on abundance and scientific progress. We’re neither. Here's why we think safety and accelerating progress go hand in hand: 🧵
www.openphilanthropy.org/research/wh...
www.openphilanthropy.org/research/wh...
The 19th century enthusiastically celebrated inventive and industrial achievements: with parades and fireworks, in speeches and advertisements, in art and poetry, in World's Fairs.
From Chapter 9 of The Techno-Humanist Manifesto: newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-spirit...
From Chapter 9 of The Techno-Humanist Manifesto: newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-spirit...
The Spirit We Lost, part 1
Chapter 9 of The Techno-Humanist Manifesto
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org
September 10, 2025 at 6:55 PM
The 19th century enthusiastically celebrated inventive and industrial achievements: with parades and fireworks, in speeches and advertisements, in art and poetry, in World's Fairs.
From Chapter 9 of The Techno-Humanist Manifesto: newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-spirit...
From Chapter 9 of The Techno-Humanist Manifesto: newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-spirit...
The Techno-Humanist Manifesto, Chapter 8: The Unlimited Horizon, part 2
We are all poor by the standards of the future. But there is no bold, ambitious vision of the future in mainstream culture. Here's one, based on mastery over all aspects of nature
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-unlimi...
We are all poor by the standards of the future. But there is no bold, ambitious vision of the future in mainstream culture. Here's one, based on mastery over all aspects of nature
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-unlimi...
The Unlimited Horizon, part 2
Chapter 8 of The Techno-Humanist Manifesto
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org
August 19, 2025 at 6:54 PM
The Techno-Humanist Manifesto, Chapter 8: The Unlimited Horizon, part 2
We are all poor by the standards of the future. But there is no bold, ambitious vision of the future in mainstream culture. Here's one, based on mastery over all aspects of nature
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-unlimi...
We are all poor by the standards of the future. But there is no bold, ambitious vision of the future in mainstream culture. Here's one, based on mastery over all aspects of nature
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-unlimi...
Seeking a freelance project manager to help me publish and launch my book, The Techno-Humanist Manifesto.
Must have near-superhuman organizational skills and attention to detail. Experience with publishing projects is a bonus.
Apply here: rootsofprogress.notion.site/23e543614e97...
Must have near-superhuman organizational skills and attention to detail. Experience with publishing projects is a bonus.
Apply here: rootsofprogress.notion.site/23e543614e97...
Project manager – The Techno-Humanist Manifesto (book) | Notion
Made with Notion, the all-in-one connected workspace with publishing capabilities.
rootsofprogress.notion.site
July 29, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Seeking a freelance project manager to help me publish and launch my book, The Techno-Humanist Manifesto.
Must have near-superhuman organizational skills and attention to detail. Experience with publishing projects is a bonus.
Apply here: rootsofprogress.notion.site/23e543614e97...
Must have near-superhuman organizational skills and attention to detail. Experience with publishing projects is a bonus.
Apply here: rootsofprogress.notion.site/23e543614e97...
The Techno-Humanist Manifesto, Chapter 8: The Unlimited Horizon, part 1
Is industrial production the end of economic history? Or could AI usher in a fourth age of humanity—an intelligence age?
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-unlimi...
Is industrial production the end of economic history? Or could AI usher in a fourth age of humanity—an intelligence age?
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-unlimi...
The Unlimited Horizon, part 1
Chapter 8 of The Techno-Humanist Manifesto
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org
July 15, 2025 at 4:53 PM
The Techno-Humanist Manifesto, Chapter 8: The Unlimited Horizon, part 1
Is industrial production the end of economic history? Or could AI usher in a fourth age of humanity—an intelligence age?
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-unlimi...
Is industrial production the end of economic history? Or could AI usher in a fourth age of humanity—an intelligence age?
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-unlimi...
The combinatorial vastness of possibility space means that solutions are out there. The structure of that space, and the power of intelligence to navigate it, means that we can find them.
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-proble...
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-proble...
The Problem-Solving Animal, part 3
Chapter 7 of The Techno-Humanist Manifesto
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org
June 26, 2025 at 5:08 PM
The combinatorial vastness of possibility space means that solutions are out there. The structure of that space, and the power of intelligence to navigate it, means that we can find them.
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-proble...
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-proble...
In part 1 of this chapter, I argued that economic growth is not limited by resources—because growth is not driven by resources, but by ideas. One might well ask, then: will we run out of ideas?
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-proble...
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-proble...
The Problem-Solving Animal, part 2
Chapter 7 of The Techno-Humanist Manifesto
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org
June 19, 2025 at 3:54 PM
In part 1 of this chapter, I argued that economic growth is not limited by resources—because growth is not driven by resources, but by ideas. One might well ask, then: will we run out of ideas?
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-proble...
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-proble...
Reposted by Jason Crawford
Steven Pinker's approach to humanism closely aligns with my own viewpoints on the world. (I may have a more favorable view of certain forms of collectivism though). Here's a great summary by @jasoncrawford.org of one of Pinker's books: "Enlightenment Now".
blog.rootsofprogress.org/enlightenmen...
blog.rootsofprogress.org/enlightenmen...
Enlightenment Now: A summary
The theme of Enlightenment Now is contained in its subtitle: it is that reason, science and humanism lead to progress. The corollary is: keep it up!
blog.rootsofprogress.org
June 16, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Steven Pinker's approach to humanism closely aligns with my own viewpoints on the world. (I may have a more favorable view of certain forms of collectivism though). Here's a great summary by @jasoncrawford.org of one of Pinker's books: "Enlightenment Now".
blog.rootsofprogress.org/enlightenmen...
blog.rootsofprogress.org/enlightenmen...
The Roots of Progress Institute is seeking to commission stories for a new article series, “Intelligence Age,” on future applications of AI
We are looking for stories of ~3k words, and will pay $2 per word.
Details and apply within: newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/we-want-yo...
We are looking for stories of ~3k words, and will pay $2 per word.
Details and apply within: newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/we-want-yo...
We Want Your Stories About the AI Frontier
“Intelligence Age” series will focus on future applications of artificial intelligence
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org
June 6, 2025 at 5:02 PM
The Roots of Progress Institute is seeking to commission stories for a new article series, “Intelligence Age,” on future applications of AI
We are looking for stories of ~3k words, and will pay $2 per word.
Details and apply within: newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/we-want-yo...
We are looking for stories of ~3k words, and will pay $2 per word.
Details and apply within: newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/we-want-yo...
As long as people have noticed progress, they have wondered: will we run out of natural resources? But there are no natural resources. All resources are artificial: the product of knowledge
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-proble...
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-proble...
The Problem-Solving Animal, part 1
Chapter 7 of The Techno-Humanist Manifesto
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org
June 3, 2025 at 3:31 PM
As long as people have noticed progress, they have wondered: will we run out of natural resources? But there are no natural resources. All resources are artificial: the product of knowledge
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-proble...
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-proble...
The Roots of Progress fellowship deadline is tomorrow!
Also, I’ll be at Edge Esmeralda this coming week, find me there!
Plus many more announcements, links, charts and more in the latest links digest:
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/links-and-...
Also, I’ll be at Edge Esmeralda this coming week, find me there!
Plus many more announcements, links, charts and more in the latest links digest:
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/links-and-...
Links and short notes, 2025-05-31
Fellowship deadline tomorrow! Edge Esmeralda next week! and lots more
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org
May 31, 2025 at 3:16 PM
The Roots of Progress fellowship deadline is tomorrow!
Also, I’ll be at Edge Esmeralda this coming week, find me there!
Plus many more announcements, links, charts and more in the latest links digest:
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/links-and-...
Also, I’ll be at Edge Esmeralda this coming week, find me there!
Plus many more announcements, links, charts and more in the latest links digest:
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/links-and-...
I was initially skeptical about claims of stagnation, but I was eventually convinced by a systematic survey of the evidence. Progress has not ground to a halt, but in the US, it has slowed relative to its peak in the late 19th to mid-20th century:
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-flywhe...
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-flywhe...
The Flywheel, part 2
Chapter 6 of The Techno-Humanist Manifesto
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org
May 22, 2025 at 6:01 PM
I was initially skeptical about claims of stagnation, but I was eventually convinced by a systematic survey of the evidence. Progress has not ground to a halt, but in the US, it has slowed relative to its peak in the late 19th to mid-20th century:
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-flywhe...
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-flywhe...
Where is the YIMBY-style movement for healthcare? Where are those pointing out the gross violation of economic wisdom and campaigning for reform against the worst inefficiencies?
This field is wide open, and someone should step in and fill the vacuum.
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/where-is-t...
This field is wide open, and someone should step in and fill the vacuum.
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/where-is-t...
Where is the YIMBY movement for healthcare?
This field is wide open, and someone should step in
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org
May 10, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Where is the YIMBY-style movement for healthcare? Where are those pointing out the gross violation of economic wisdom and campaigning for reform against the worst inefficiencies?
This field is wide open, and someone should step in and fill the vacuum.
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/where-is-t...
This field is wide open, and someone should step in and fill the vacuum.
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/where-is-t...
Reminds me of this from “The Curse of Xanadu” by Gary Wolf in WIRED (1995)
May 2, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Reminds me of this from “The Curse of Xanadu” by Gary Wolf in WIRED (1995)
Applications now open for the 2025 Roots of Progress Blog-Building Intensive!
Improve your writing skills, learn from leading progress builders and intellectuals, and publish essays about progress:
rootsofprogress.org/fellowship
Improve your writing skills, learn from leading progress builders and intellectuals, and publish essays about progress:
rootsofprogress.org/fellowship
The Roots of Progress Institute Blog-Building Intensive Fellowship
The Roots of Progress Fellowship empowers intellectual entrepreneurs for progress. Through this program you will improve your writing, increase your productivity, get plugged into the progress movemen...
rootsofprogress.org
May 1, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Applications now open for the 2025 Roots of Progress Blog-Building Intensive!
Improve your writing skills, learn from leading progress builders and intellectuals, and publish essays about progress:
rootsofprogress.org/fellowship
Improve your writing skills, learn from leading progress builders and intellectuals, and publish essays about progress:
rootsofprogress.org/fellowship
Impossible sci-fi nonsense, the shadow of the Great War, heliocentrism, the bottom-up abundance agenda, institutional sclerosis, and much more:
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/links-and-...
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/links-and-...
Links and short notes, 2025-04-23
Late, slightly out of date, hopefully still pretty great
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org
April 23, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Impossible sci-fi nonsense, the shadow of the Great War, heliocentrism, the bottom-up abundance agenda, institutional sclerosis, and much more:
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/links-and-...
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/links-and-...
Why was progress so slow, for so long? And were the last few centuries a fluke, a lucky windfall of progress, after which we should expect a regression to the mean of slow growth? Or were they part of a trend that we can expect to continue?
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-flywheel
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-flywheel
The Flywheel
Chapter 6 of The Techno-Humanist Manifesto
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org
April 22, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Why was progress so slow, for so long? And were the last few centuries a fluke, a lucky windfall of progress, after which we should expect a regression to the mean of slow growth? Or were they part of a trend that we can expect to continue?
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-flywheel
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-flywheel
Reposted by Jason Crawford
Innovation is not linear — by @jasoncrawford.org
The more I read science history, the more I think this piece was brilliant.
The more I read science history, the more I think this piece was brilliant.
Innovation is not linear - Works in Progress Magazine
Many have argued that innovation develops in a simple linear fashion – from research to experimentation to engineering.
worksinprogress.co
April 19, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Innovation is not linear — by @jasoncrawford.org
The more I read science history, the more I think this piece was brilliant.
The more I read science history, the more I think this piece was brilliant.
Reposted by Jason Crawford
I am advocating for due process for Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
JUST IN: Deputy Assistant to the President and "Counterterrorism Czar" Sebastian Gorka says anyone advocating for due process for Kilmar Abrego Garcia could be viewed as "aiding and abetting a terrorist" and be federally charged. (h/t Philip Germain)
April 17, 2025 at 6:46 AM
I am advocating for due process for Kilmar Abrego Garcia.