The Idea of Improvement: A Reflection
(This article was originally published on LinkedIn on May 5,2025 )
We often hear that science and technology have vastly improved human life over the last 400 years. From the invention of the steam engine to the internet revolution, progress appears undeniable. As we continue innovating—especially in greener, more sustainable ways—many believe life will only get better. And in many tangible ways, it has.
Comforts of the Modern Age
Compared to the 14th or 15th century, our life expectancy has significantly increased. For those of us fortunate enough to be well off, the comforts we experience are miles ahead of what our ancestors could even imagine. Reliable access to food and clean water, clothing, electricity, sanitation systems, and the internet—these are real blessings of the material world. They define what we commonly think of as "improvement."
But is improvement just material?
Improvement, Perfection, and the Illusion of right /wrong
The concept of improvement often rides alongside another deeply human idea: perfection.
Perfection suggests something flawless—without error. But "flaw" is itself a subjective perception. What seems flawed or perfect depends heavily on our lens, which is often grounded in our ideas of right and wrong. But is anything truly right or wrong in an absolute sense?
Albert Einstein once said something to the effect of: “It is futile to argue which theory is right. They are all wrong by definition—because reality is far bigger than any approximation of it.” Instead, he suggested asking: “Which theory is more useful in a given context?”
Yet in our daily lives, we are hooked on this loop of judgment. Constantly evaluating, labeling, and chasing the "right" thing.
The Pleasure-Pain Dance
As humans, we’re wired to avoid pain and seek pleasure. It’s a survival mechanism—an old and automatic one. But real life teaches us something more nuanced.
We know from experience that too much pleasure-seeking can lead to pain. We’ve also seen how certain painful experiences can lead to growth—whether it's “growing pains,” “birthing pains,” or emotional breakthroughs. As the saying goes: “Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.”
From Pleasure to Joy
There’s also a difference between seeking pleasure and experiencing joy.
Pleasure is often external and fleeting. Joy, on the other hand, seems to come from a deeper, quieter place. It often arrives when we least expect it—sometimes in the middle of grief, fear, or struggle.
I believe, all our efforts toward “improvement” may actually be attempts to reach this state of joy. But joy doesn't always lie in escape—it lies in presence.
The Real Practice of Improvement
What I’ve come to realize over the last decade or more is this: Joy often lies at the end of fully experiencing the present moment—no matter what that moment contains. Pain, sadness, fear—they are not to be avoided or denied. Nor are they to be dramatized or acted out. Simply felt.
It’s a bit like learning to swim. You can’t do it by reading books or standing on the shore. You have to get into the water, move your body, and trust that you’ll float.
Improvement, then, may not be about reaching some flawless version of life. It might just be about learning how to be here—fully, honestly, and courageously.
Would you care to share - What brings you joy? What enables you to be present?
