Watch Surviving Progress

Surviving Progress is a thought-provoking documentary released in 2011 that focuses on the perils which are threatening the human civilization as it advances toward progress. The movie explores the paradoxical notion that the same "progress" and "evolution" driving the advancements in the human era could eventually lead to the downfall of civilization. The film sheds light on the critical issues such as the environment, global economy, ideologies, technological advancements, and the unequal distribution of resources and power around the world, all of which are jeopardizing the well-being of humanity.

The documentary opens with a discussion of the concept of progress, which the narrator describes as a "trickster" that can easily deceive humanity into believing that everything is moving in the right direction when, in fact, things may be spiraling out of control. The film traces the concept of progress back to the Industrial Revolution when European countries adopted the capitalist form of government and constructed the foundation of the modern, technological era. Featuring a mixture of real-life footage, animations, and interviews from a diverse range of experts across various fields, the movie explains how the growth of the human race over the past century has been enormous, but along with it has come a plethora of issues that threaten to topple civilization.

The documentary also examines the notion of economic progress and dissects the inherent flaws of the current global economic system. It explores the scary reality that the very idea of progress we rely on is hurting us. Featuring interviews with renowned economists, the documentary suggests that the current economic structure is not sustainable and raises thought-provoking questions about the decisions we make as a society. The movie contends that the problem with the current system is that growth is measured solely in terms of economic terms, with no regard to the social and environmental costs incurred.

The environment is another critical topic that the documentary delves into in great detail. Experts concur that humanity is reaching a critical point of biodiversity loss and climate change, threatening the very ecosystems that we rely on. The movie provides a compelling overview of how the exploitation of natural resources and advancement of technology have led to massive changes in the earth's climate and how massive corporations and policymakers have contributed significantly to global warming. The film suggests that society needs to adopt sustainable alternatives to manufacturing practices as a way to reduce emissions and the catastrophic impacts of global warming.

The movie also delves into the ever-widening gap between the rich and the poor. Featuring renowned economists and social scientists, the film argues that the current economic structure is designed to benefit the affluent at the expense of the rest of society. The movie argues that the only way to address this issue is by creating a more equitable economic structure that places a greater emphasis on individual welfare rather than corporate profits.

At its core, Surviving Progress is an incisive critique of the history of human progress, where the benefits of new technologies, global interconnection and scientific discovery are always balanced by the less desirable consequences. While the movie provides a comprehensive overview of various issues, it does not provide solutions to the many problems it highlights. Instead, it poses questions and challenges that urge viewers to critically think about the present situation and encourage them to create informed decisions on the direction civilization should follow.

In conclusion, Surviving Progress is a highly engaging and thought-provoking documentary that covers a broad range of topics that affect humanity. The film argues that humanity needs to make difficult choices to ensure that technological advancement and economic growth do not lead to the eventual collapse of society. The film appeals to individuals, communities, policymakers, and businesses to recognize the collective responsibility they have in creating a sustainable future. Anyone interested in the future of the human race should take the time to watch this eye-opening movie.

Surviving Progress is a 2011 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4 and a MetaScore of 59.