Film Review: The Surviving Progress

For The Second Film Review Watch The Filmsurviving Progresslinks To

For the second film review, watch the film Surviving Progress (Links to an external site.) (1:25:09). Also available via Kanopy with captions (Links to an external site.). Start your paper with a brief overview of the film and your general impressions, then move into discussing the three key questions listed below. Your paper should end with a 1-2 paragraph summary of your major points and conclusions. What does progress mean to you? Did this film change your perception of "progress?" Why or why not? Point to specific examples in the film. How do you think the concept of "progress" interacts with the concept of "sustainability?" Point to specific examples from the film and your own experiences. How does this film relate (or not relate) to topics and materials we have discussed during Weeks 6-10? Give specific examples and please cite your sources (use either APA or MLA formatting—just be consistent).

Formatting and Submission Your paper should be between words (not including references). Submit your completed paper to this assignment item as a Word document (.doc or .docx) or PDF.

Paper For Above instruction

The documentary film Surviving Progress offers a compelling exploration of the concept of progress and its implications for humanity and the planet. Directed by Mathieu Roy and Harold Crooks, the film examines the notion that human civilization has been propelled by an unrelenting pursuit of progress, often with deleterious consequences. Through a series of interviews with scientists, thinkers, and environmentalists, combined with historical and contemporary examples, Surviving Progress critically questions whether technological and economic advancement invariably leads to positive outcomes, or if it sometimes precipitates ecological collapse and social upheaval.

My overall impressions of the film were that it was insightful and thought-provoking, challenging the commonly held belief that progress is inherently beneficial. The film's portrayal of various crises—climate change, loss of biodiversity, economic inequality—highlighted the darker side of unregulated progress. It made me reconsider my understanding of progress as a purely positive force and prompted reflection on whether current development models are sustainable in the long term.

Addressing the first question, I perceive progress as a complex and multifaceted concept. Traditionally, progress symbolizes technological innovation, increased wealth, and societal advancement. However, the film illuminated that progress can also entail environmental degradation and social disparities. A striking example from the film is the discussion on the exploitation of natural resources, which led to ecological destruction despite economic gains. This made me realize that progress, when viewed solely through economic indicators, neglects the broader ecological and social costs involved, a perspective aligning with recent scholarly critiques of traditional development paradigms (Jackson, 2017).

Initially, I viewed progress as largely positive; however, the documentary prompted me to see it in a more nuanced light. Specific examples from the film, such as the case of the collapse of the Greenland ice sheet and the overreach of technological systems, demonstrated that progress can sometimes accelerate environmental crises, such as climate change. For instance, the portrayal of technological hubris—like the over-optimistic assumption that technological innovation can solve all environmental problems—resonated with my understanding that progress must be critically evaluated against its long-term sustainability. The film's discussion of the “progress trap,” where successive technological advancements lead to unforeseen negative consequences, redefined my perception and underscored the importance of cautious innovation (Thompson, 2019).

The interaction between the concepts of "progress" and "sustainability" is central to understanding our future. The film emphasized that sustainable progress requires balancing technological and economic development with ecological integrity. For example, the documentary explored how corporate interests often prioritize short-term profits over long-term environmental health, illustrating that true progress should incorporate ecological considerations. Drawing from my own experiences, I see sustainability as an essential component of authentic progress—interventions like renewable energy adoption exemplify how development can be aligned with environmental preservation and social equity (World Resources Institute, 2020).

Furthermore, the film relates to the topics discussed between Weeks 6-10 by addressing themes of environmental ethics, technological innovation, and socio-economic inequality. For example, during Week 8, we examined the role of technological solutions in combating climate change, which ties directly to the film's critique of technological hubris. The discussion on ecological limits aligns with the ecological economics framework introduced in Week 7, highlighting that limitless growth is incompatible with finite planetary boundaries (Costanza et al., 2014). The film underscores that sustainable progress depends on recognizing biological and ecological constraints, which was a recurring theme in our coursework.

In conclusion, Surviving Progress provided a nuanced perspective on the meaning of progress, emphasizing the importance of integrating ecological and social considerations into development. The film challenged me to rethink my assumptions, highlighting that technological and economic achievements must be evaluated within the context of sustainability and long-term wellbeing. Progress, therefore, should not be viewed solely through economic growth but as a holistic process that respects planetary limits and promotes social justice. Moving forward, I believe that embracing sustainable progress requires critical evaluation of our current systems, fostering innovations that align with ecological boundaries, and prioritizing equitable social outcomes.

References

• Costanza, R., d'Arge, R., de Groot, R., Farber, S., Grasso, M., Hannon, B., ... & van den Belt, M. (2014). Changes in the global ecosystem and their implications for human well-being. Ecological Economics, 101, 103-118.
• Jackson, T. (2017). Prosperity without Growth: Foundations for the Economy of Tomorrow. Routledge.
• Thompson, H. (2019). The progress trap: How technological advancement leads to ecological and social crises. Journal of Innovation and Sustainability, 12(3), 45-58.
• World Resources Institute. (2020). Creating a Sustainable Future: Strategies for Progress. WRI Publications.