Is it really progress?

I would like to share with you an amusing tale I heard in a lecture a few years back on how what we perceive as progress can sometimes be perceived by others as regression and decline!

Indian Chief named 'Two Eagles' was once asked,” You have observed the white man for 90 years. You've seen his wars and his technological advances. You've seen his progress, and the damage he's done.” The Chief nods in agreement and the official continue, “Considering all these events, in your opinion, where did the white man go wrong?

The Chief stared at the government official for over a minute and then calmly replied:

“When white man find land, Indians running it, no taxes, no debt, plenty buffalo, plenty beaver, clean water. Women did all the work, Medicine man free. Indian man spend all day hunting and fishing; all night having sex.”

Then the chief leaned back and smiled... "Only white man dumb enough to think he could improve system like that."

Truthfully we sometimes go blind in our search to improve ourselves and the world around us by destroying what is actually already good and precious to us today (or should be). May it be how our industrial age is hurting the environment we live in. May it be technology like the "Smartphone" that instead of connecting us has turned us to “social network” zombies. How many of us know all our “friends” on Facebook and LinkedIn? How about 50% of them? How much time do we spend communicating via chat and sms instead of over coffee or a beer? Even when we are having such a get together, how many of us check our e-mail, whatssApp or facebook once or twice during the evening (if only it was once or twice)

Not saying we had it right then not saying we have it wrong now

But is it really progress?