Obviously this is getting a bit into the weeds, but from looking up the word "progress", that doesn't seem to necessarily be the case. Merriam Webster gives alm

Obviously this is getting a bit into the weeds, but from looking up the word "progress", that doesn't seem to necessarily be the case. Merriam Webster gives almost the opposite as its first definition: "to move forward : proceed", and "proceed" says "to come forth from a source : issue". It seems pretty well established that progress can also mean to _come from_ a distinct place rather than only meaning arriving at a distinct place. I agree that it can sometimes mean a convergence will occur, but it also sometimes doesn't, so any assumption of that definition in terms of societal progress would be reflected by the reader.