A DIFFERENT way to say "going towards"

Hi, I'm looking for a different way to say "going towards".

The sentence I'm trying to use it in is "Since the industrial revolution the in the late 18th century, mankind has been [going towards] a trend where laziness has dominated..."

Does "progressing towards" work? I just don't like the sound of "going towards".

Thanks

"Since the industrial revolution the in the late 18th century, mankind has been [going towards] a trend where laziness has dominated..."

..drifting towards..

mankind has exhibited a trend characterized by laziness...

mankind has been developing a trend where laziness...

"mankind has been approaching a trend where laziness is predominate."

"Since the industrial revolution the in the late 18th century, mankind has been growing steadily lazier."

mankind has been drawing closer to a trend where laziness has dominated

...mankind has a upward trend...
In case you don't have to use 'been'.

I just recently discovered a thesaurus lol and I highly suggest it. Here is a link to my favorite one http://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus

How bout "moving in the right direction"

Hi,what about

"mankind has been under the control of laziness"

what about using, mankind has been ascending into a trend....

'Advancing towards'

How about " falling in love with the lazy trend"..

forward into?

How about mankind has been transcending.......

How about:

"Since the industrial revolution the in the late 18th century, mankind has been on a downward spiral where laziness has dominated..."

Yes, but don't say "mankind." Modern guidelines for gender-inclusive language require you to say "humankind" or "people" or some other term that includes everybody unless you are speaking only of males.

Yes, it's so easy to write "humankind" instead!