Progress Studies Reading Group

Why This Group?

I’ve become increasingly interested in Progress Studies – an emerging field that asks a simple but powerful question: What actually drives human progress? Why do some societies manage to build more housing, generate higher productivity, or innovate more quickly, while others stall?

In Europe, these questions feel particularly pressing. Progress Studies suggests a different approach: focusing less on ideology and more on evidence. Which housing policies really expand supply? How do the most innovative countries structure their science funding? What kinds of regulations encourage rather than stifle new ideas? How can a European model of progress emerge – one that balances innovation with inclusion, and ambition with democratic values?

I’d like to explore these questions together with others who are curious about how societies can create more abundance and shared prosperity.

What We’re Doing

This will be Berlin’s first Progress Studies Reading Group – a monthly space to read, discuss, and think about practical lessons from history, economics, and policy.

I imagine this group as a meeting point for people in policy, research, and entrepreneurship who are interested in how better institutions and smarter choices can lead to widespread flourishing. If you’re frustrated with polarized debates that overlook practical paths forward and curious about ways to actually pursue progress that’s both inclusive and ambitious, this might be a good fit.

How It Works

Each month, we’ll read 2–3 short essays (about 60 minutes total reading time) around a theme.
We’ll meet for 90 minutes to discuss the readings, connect them to our own work and experience, and think about their relevance in a European context.
The discussions will be structured around guiding questions, but informal enough to allow genuine exchange of ideas.

The goal is to leave each meeting not just with new perspectives, but also with insights that connect to our professional and intellectual interests.

Upcoming Sessions

Meeting 1: What is Progress Studies? Tue, Oct. 7, 19:00-20:30, Location: a Bar in Berlin Mitte (tba)

Patrick Collison & Tyler Cowen: We Need a New Science of Progress
Jason Crawford: A Techno-Humanist Manifesto (Intro & Ch. 5 "Solutionism")
Ezra Klein, Derek Thompson: "Abundance" (Ch. 1)

Meeting 2: Housing & Infrastructure Tue, Nov. 4, 19:00-20:30, Location: tba

John Myers & Sam Bowman & Ben Southwood: The Housing Theory of Everything
Additional readings TBD

Meeting 3: Growth & Development Tue, Dec. 2, 19:00-20:30, Location: tba

Readings TBD based on group preferences

Meeting 4: Science & Innovation Policy Tue, Jan. 13, 19:00-20:30, Location: tba

Readings TBD based on group preferences

Further potential may topics include energy abundance, agency & culture, and institutional design based on interest.

Who’s This For?

This group is for people who care about moving from ideas to impact. Whether you're working on policy, building a company, or researching how institutions succeed or fail – this is a space to explore practical, evidence-based paths to human flourishing.

Get Involved

If this sounds interesting, you can:

Sign up here to receive readings and venue details.
Or just send me an email. I’d be happy to answer questions or hear about the topics you’d like to explore.