Week 2: Movie - Surviving Progress, Ronald Wright, Part 2

Question 1

Why is it important to separate good progress from bad progress?

Answer 1

Not all changes lead to improvements; some developments may initially seem like progress but ultimately harm society or the environment when their impact is fully realized.

Question 1

What is the concept of “progress” in Surviving Progress?

Answer 1

Progress refers to advancements and developments in human society, but it is necessary to distinguish between good progress, which leads to beneficial outcomes, and bad progress, which can lead to unintended consequences or harm.

Question 2

How does Surviving Progress view the industrial revolution in terms of progress?

Answer 2

The film suggests that since the industrial revolution, society has been focused on building and developing more, particularly machines, questioning how long this pattern can continue before it is no longer true progress.

Question 3

What is an example of a progress trap mentioned in the film?

Answer 3

An example of a progress trap is hunting: it began as a way to sustain communities but developed to a point where it destroyed wildlife populations and ecosystems, causing ecological imbalance.

Question 4

How can progress lead to a dead end?

Answer 4

Progress that appears beneficial at first may, upon reaching a larger scale, reveal harmful consequences, making it unsustainable or destructive, thus becoming a dead end.

Question 5

What does the statement “All things are changing, but not all changes are improvements” imply in the context of progress?

Answer 5

This statement emphasizes that while change is constant, not every change brings positive outcomes; some changes can ultimately be detrimental.

Question 6

Why might building more machines be questioned as true progress?

Answer 6

The repetitive focus on building and industrial growth since the industrial revolution may reach a point where it no longer contributes to human well-being and becomes harmful or redundant.

Question 7

How do progress traps relate to the environment?

Answer 7

Progress traps often result in environmental degradation when human advancements disrupt ecological balance, leading to problems such as resource depletion, habitat destruction, and biodiversity loss.

Question 8

What mindset does Surviving Progress challenge regarding development and growth?

Answer 8

The film challenges the mindset that continual building and expansion are inherently positive, urging viewers to consider when such growth ceases to be beneficial and becomes a trap.