Week 2: Movie - Surviving Progress, Ronald Wright Flashcards
What is the central theme of the film Surviving Progress?
The central theme is the critique of the concept of “progress” and how it may lead to unsustainable outcomes that threaten humanity’s future.
Who is the author whose ideas inspired Surviving Progress?
Ronald Wright, whose book A Short History of Progress influenced the film.
Which concept does Surviving Progress emphasize as a potential danger to humanity?
A) Technological stagnation
B) Progress traps
C) Population growth
B
Define a “progress trap” as discussed in Surviving Progress
A progress trap is a situation where human innovation, initially beneficial, leads to unsustainable or destructive consequences over time.
Fill-in-the-Blank: Surviving Progress suggests that humanity’s advancements in technology and industry can lead to ______ if not carefully managed.
Collapse
Which civilization is discussed in Surviving Progress as an example of a society that fell due to unsustainable progress?
A) The Roman Empire
B) Ancient Egypt
C) The Mayan civilization
C
According to Surviving Progress, how does debt influence global sustainability?
The film argues that financial debt, especially in developing countries, drives over-exploitation of natural resources, leading to environmental degradation.
Drag-and-Drop: Match the following terms to their concepts in Surviving Progress:
Terms:
- Debt
- Consumption
- Technology
Concepts:
- Drives resource exploitation
- Can lead to unsustainable practices
- Often used without regard to consequences
Debt → Drives resource exploitation
Consumption → Can lead to unsustainable practices
Technology → Often used without regard to consequences
What does Surviving Progress suggest is necessary for sustainable development?
A rethinking of economic and technological growth that values ecological stability and long-term survival over short-term gains.
How does Surviving Progress relate human progress to ecological limits?
The film suggests that unchecked human progress often ignores ecological limits, leading to environmental crises that can threaten human survival.
Which of the following best represents the film’s critique of modern economic growth models in relation to ecological sustainability?
A) Economic growth models often fail because they do not account for finite environmental resources, leading to what is known as a “progress trap.”
B) Economic growth is sustainable if it creates jobs and wealth, regardless of environmental impact.
C) All forms of economic growth contribute positively to ecological balance by redistributing wealth globally.
D) Economic growth should be maximized to increase technological advancement and solve future environmental issues.
A
In Surviving Progress, the concept of “progress traps” is used to describe historical patterns of unsustainable growth. Which of the following scenarios best illustrates a “progress trap”?
A) The invention of agriculture allowing for population expansion.
B) The spread of global trade fostering cultural exchange between nations.
C) The development of renewable energy sources to reduce fossil fuel dependency.
D) Industrialization leading to improved quality of life but eventually causing severe pollution and resource depletion.
D
