I've read that Progress should fall under three distinct categories: Societal progress, Environmental progress and Economic progress. But what's the fun in being ambiguous and labeling the terms so broadly so that everything falls into three neat little piles.
I might digress to some other forms of progress. My definition of progress is limited to the incremental improvement of standards of living for species across this Earth. I may be one of the few on ProgressiveU who makes this distinction, or expands the definition of progress to something other than technology or humans. I hope this draws sharp criticism and some of the following-- Oh No!'s are acceptable.
The same is true of statements like, "Oh no you don't, we're talking about human expansion" or "That's way too messy."
This makes me think-- perhaps the well-being of other organisms has regressed as Homo sapient population increases. 
And so I don't necessarily see the steady degradation of land through poor agricultural and mining practices, or even concrete street paving as progress. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed 784 documented extinctions and 60 extinctions in the wild since 1500 AD. It may be an extreme act of obstruction to say that the Earth has not progressed in a succinct manner since the evolution of humans. Perhaps looking at extinctions is rather nonobjective. Perhaps they don't balance out the trajectory of technology, of medicine, of art, literature, or even 70s R&B classics. But who, may I ask, most accurately characterizes the larger picture of progress?
Ayn Rand's progress of man--
(Howard Roark) looked at a tree. To be split and made into rafters...These rocks, he thought are here for me; waiting for the drill, the dynamite and my voice; waiting to be split, ripped pounded, reborn; waiting for the shape my hands give them.
Woodrow Wilson's "What Is Progress?"--
I am, therefore, forced to be a progressive, if for no other reason, because we have not kept up with our changes of conditions, either in the economic field or in the political field.
My own interpretation and extension of Wilson's belief--
I may have the ability to progress in my own way but this may have a negative impact on another's' progress. Upon recognizing, and pursuing in good faith, the principle that life is as dear to the mute animal as it is to any human being, I have progressed.
And by pursuing a way of life that is conscious, that presents its sustainable alternatives in lifestyle, and that seeks to undue or negate the forward progress that dismantles the progress of others, I will achieve personal happiness. That my personal happiness be no more important than any other organism's-- that will be a day to progress.
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Contrasting Ayn Rand with Woodrow Wilson really emphasized your position. Nice touch.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Thank you. I think contrasting most anyone with Rand serves as a good point of emphasis; maybe I'll do it more often.
Every organism's heartbeat holds a universe of beauty at http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/green-underbelly
I like your references although I feel that the Earth has progressed since the human species came to exist and still is. It will always be changing hopefully in positive strides. Through medicine, social acceptance, technology, and government policy, progress can be seen clearly.
~Astroaction149
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/astroaction149
How has the Earth and those Earthly organisms progressed specifically?
I usually refer to this photo when talking about humans as the lowest animals: http://blogs.sun.com/ChinaExperience/resource/evolution.jpg
Every organism's heartbeat holds a universe of beauty at http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/green-underbelly
Humans have progressed themselves you know. Mentally and socially. Over hsitory, human nature has changed. The Klan still exists but they are no longer left unchecked by higher authorities and thus left to commit violent acts. People don't invade neighboring towns to pilliage and rape women. Religious tolerance has improved as well. Perhaps giraffes aren't growing their opposable thumbs and maneuverable digits or humans haven't developed the ability to see in both visible and infrared electromagnetic spectrums but human and animal nature are changing all the time. That's what happens in life. People change over generations. Just because it can't be seen, doesn't mean it isn't happening.
~Astroaction149
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/astroaction149