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Evolutionary Arms Race and Scientific Progress: It's a One-Way Street
Evolutionary progress, then, goes one way only. It does not reverse.
Something similar happens in human culture. Certain aspects of human culture improve or progress, such as science and technology. “Progress” means that, once scientists make a discovery that results in a technology that proves more useful than an existing technology, people stop using the existing technology in favour of the new one.
As with predator-prey arms races, such progress does not reverse. Technological progress moves in one direction only. There’s no going back. For example, transportation technologies have shown “progress” over time. Horses and wagons gave way to cars, trucks and trains. Sailing ships gave way to engine-powered ships. Hot air balloons gave way to passenger jets.
Why is there such a thing as progress in science and technology?
Ultimately for the same reason rabbits with keen hearing procreate and rabbits with mediocre hearing get eaten. Survival advantage. If you want to compete with FedEx in the courier business, you’d better not rely on Model T Fords and clipper ships.