Hi everyone.

This is the digest newsletter for the Progress Forum—the best essays and posts from the previous week.

Announcing the Incoming CEO for The Roots of Progress

By Jason Crawford

After a long search, Heike Larson will be joining The Roots of Progress as CEO! This is to support a broader expansion of the organization’s mission. Heike will start by focusing on a “career accelerator” for budding progress scholars, as well as teambuilding and fundraising. She joins us from edtech startup Mystery Science. Welcome Heike!

Talent Sorting in Germany is Flawed

By Simon Grimm

Simon evaluates the higher education system in Germany with reference to its other European and American counterparts. Specifically, he notes how top German students usually opt for medical degrees in the absence of institutional prestige and hierarchy, markedly directing the flows of talent in the German workforce.

Impossibility of Flight

By Lawrence Newport

Lawrence treats us to his new video on the history of flight. He focuses on the early scientific skepticism (from luminaries like Kelvin) as to the possibility of heavier-than-air flight, and how empirical reality ultimately came to triumph over these initial theoretical concerns. Lawrence is actively seeking feedback from the community on his video.

“Progress” Alternative to GiveWell

By Kevin Lacker

In comparing Effective Altruism and Progress Studies, Kevin wonders whether some ‘actionable’ resource might benefit the progress movement. Effective Altruists and interested parties can donate to GiveWell with confidence that the money will be used for appropriately topical causes. Can a similar model work for progress? Kevin is seeking discussion and input from the community, too.

Thank you for being a part of the progress community! Please continue to post, discuss and debate on the forum.

Ross