The current conception of 'progress' took centuries to spread. Current challenges aside, we tend to think of the future as being better than the past - we'll know more and be able to do more.

The prevailing view in most of the world for most of human history was one of decline from a once-glorious past. The future was seen as uncertain, and either static or apocalyptic ('the end of days' thinking was very common across cultures with written records).

I'd argue a big reason why there has been so much advancement in the last few centuries is precisely because we realized it is possible. The idea of progress has been somewhat self-sustaining. We'll see if it continues - personally I feel like we have hit diminishing returns for things that meaningfully impact daily life.