It exploded living standards, life expectancy, and tech for billions. Early factory woes were just the price of escaping centuries of poverty.
It also completely democratized education and travel. We went from being stuck in isolated farming villages to building a globally connected society almost overnight.
Net benefit, yes. Another angle: tech progress rests on solid institutions; without rights and accountability, growth hurts more workers than it helps.
Net benefit, yes; but lasting progress rests on benevolence toward workers and orderly institutions that sustain trust.
Net benefits, indeed; yet progress must not dull the soul, for in every factory's glow there should be room for art and compassion.
