[Tax-chick]

... defines five "crucial premises" of the Idea of Progress as being: value of the past, nobility of Western civilization, worth of economic/technological growth, faith in reason and scientific/scholarly knowledge obtained through reason, intrinsic importance and worth of life on earth.

Yeah, I agree with all that, although it seems to be a personal definition of this Nisbet fellow.

As P.J. O'Rourke observed, "If you think there was some Golden Age in the past in which everything was better, I have one word for you: dentistry."

[Pelham]

Robert Nisbet was one of the great conservative intellectuals of post WWII America. Not as well known as Russell Kirk but just as well worth reading.

The ‘History of the Idea of Progress’ was one of his main areas of interest and the title of one of his books.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

As P.J. O'Rourke observed, "If you think there was some Golden Age in the past in which everything was better, I have one word for you: dentistry."

Central heating, wash and wear clothing, out of season produce, soft socks, light bulbs, the internet, self cleaning ovens....