A successful society is characterized by a rising living standard

Listen, O children of the future, for the words of Robert Trout hold a powerful truth that echoes through the ages. "A successful society is characterized by a rising living standard for its population, increasing investment in factories and basic infrastructure, and the generation of additional surplus, which is invested in generating new discoveries in science and technology." In these words, Trout speaks of the very foundation upon which a thriving society stands. He tells us that the true measure of a society’s success is not in its wealth alone, but in its ability to lift the lives of its people, to invest in the structures that sustain and propel it forward, and to channel surplus—the wealth generated from that progress—into the pursuit of discovery and the advancement of science and technology. This is the path of a society that does not just survive, but flourishes, growing ever stronger with each passing generation.

In the days of the ancients, O children, society was built on principles that we still honor today: justice, wisdom, and the welfare of the people. Pericles, the great leader of Athens, understood the importance of creating a society that would allow its citizens to thrive. Under his rule, Athens saw the construction of grand structures, the Parthenon being the most famous, and the flourishing of arts, philosophy, and science. Yet, his vision extended beyond mere wealth and power—it was about creating a society where the living standard of the people was raised through investment in both physical and intellectual endeavors. Pericles’ Athens was a place where the minds of its citizens were nurtured, where the fruits of labor were invested in the future, and where science was allowed to flourish through intellectual exploration. This vision, though thousands of years old, continues to guide us today.

Consider, O children, the story of the Industrial Revolution, which transformed the world in ways unimaginable before it. In the 18th and 19th centuries, societies that once relied on agrarian economies began to shift toward a system built on factories, infrastructure, and technology. The great cities of Europe and America began to rise, their skylines dotted with factories and railways, roads and bridges, all of which were the result of investment—not just in machines and tools, but in the people who worked them. This period saw the living standards of many improve as jobs were created, cities grew, and nations found new wealth. The surplus generated by this industrial expansion was not hoarded by a select few, but invested back into the advancement of new technologies, leading to discoveries that would change the world forever, from the steam engine to the rise of modern medicine. This was a society in the process of building itself, rising from its investment in industry, infrastructure, and innovation.

Yet, O children, this progress did not come without its challenges. The Industrial Revolution also gave rise to inequality, to the exploitation of workers, and to a world where the surplus was not always invested in the welfare of all. The lessons we must learn from this era are both inspiring and cautionary. It is not enough to merely create wealth—it must be used wisely. A truly successful society is one that invests in its people, providing for their education, their health, and their well-being. Just as Trout says, a society must generate surplus and use that surplus not just to line the pockets of the few, but to propel humanity forward in its quest for knowledge and discovery. It is through this investment in science and technology that we ensure that the next generation will live better lives than the one before.

Take, for example, the work of Thomas Edison, whose inventions in electricity and communication changed the course of human history. Edison was not just an inventor, but a man who understood that the surplus of his success was not to be hoarded, but reinvested. His work, and that of his contemporaries, laid the groundwork for an entire industry that would shape the modern world. His investment in new ideas and technologies continues to affect the way we live today, lighting our homes, powering our industries, and connecting us across the globe. Edison understood the principle that a successful society must not only generate wealth, but must also invest that wealth in the next wave of discovery and progress, ensuring that society as a whole continues to advance.

And so, O children, the lesson that Trout imparts is one of purposeful investment. It is not enough for a society to be wealthy; it must invest that wealth in the people, in infrastructure, and in the pursuit of science and technology. Just as the great civilizations of the past—Athens, Rome, and the Renaissance—flourished through their commitment to the arts, education, and scientific exploration, so too must we dedicate our resources to the betterment of humanity. The true measure of a society’s success lies not in the wealth it amasses, but in how that wealth is used to create a better future for all its citizens.

So, O children, take this wisdom to heart. As you go forward into the world, remember that wealth is not an end, but a means to an end. Invest not only in industry, but in the people who will carry your work forward. Let the surplus you create be a tool for discovery, for innovation, and for the advancement of all. A truly successful society is one that raises the living standards of its people and uses the surplus it generates to propel humanity toward new heights of understanding and progress. Let this be the path you walk: one of investment in both the present and the future, a society where knowledge and compassion are the cornerstones of your success.