> We'd have never progressed as a species with your mentality.

Please avoid swipes like this on HN. The guidelines make it clear we're trying for something better here. https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html

Change and progress like the people of France deciding they had enough of injustice and nobles' impunity, then? A little short-term pain for social progress? We agree.

Look where France is now. Can't afford their own retirement.

If that's the worst problem they have, that still sounds like things worked out pretty well compared to most places.

That sounds suspiciously like a "ends justify the means" argument.

It's easy to say we need to be willing to accept short term pains when it's someone else who has to bear the brunt of them.

Are you willing to stand by this argument and give up your career?