The process of growth / change will inevitably involve some devolution as well as evolution.

Since the overall trend is evolution, I prefer to not use the term "devolution" here, and simply say that evolution proceeds thru ups and down, twists and turns, sudden switchbacks and long-term trends.

Sometimes (like today!), it seems as if we are slipping backwards, devolving, and going to hell in a handbasket.

But what is actually happening is that we are moving inexorably towards transcendence.