SURVIVING PROGRESS...2012

This title seems very ironical for progress is a very positive word and why would anyone need to ‘survive’ it. This was exactly what I thought before seeing the video.

Now, a simple question- What is progress? 

It is about a change, or more so, a positive change. But today, progress is often referred to a positive short term change without considering its implications in the long run. And this type of progress which does not take into consideration the future perils is what is called a ‘Progress trap’.

Different countries...Different people...Different thinking...that is where it all starts; where progress meter goes up at a point,we ought to find out the other side which is burdened down of its impacts and so just following the race to progress would actually be progress trap & not progress in real terms..!!

The video begins by explaining the crucial difference that separates other animals (chimpanzees used in the experiment) from humans and it can be concluded that humans always tend to look into into things by asking the question why...which is the reason they progress to a great extent! 

Civilization is an important part of the progress but it makes us think whether in the name of civilization are we falling into a progress trap? The world population is growing at a rapid pace today and there is a big question as to how much really can our planet sustain.

The film explains the dangers of debt which if uncontrolled can lead to problems as is happening in some countries today eg : Brazil, Argentina as per historical data. Most importantly, the video highlights the excessive and unrestricted use of natural resources by humans without considering its long term impact. 

An example is given of deforestation where a timber mill is forced to shut down whereas the real culprits of deforestation are the men in power & the influential people who are blinded by the progress trap.

Humans today are running after ‘progress’ without bothering about the future because of the belief that technology will solve all the problems, which in fact have been created by technology itself. 

Even small things like using less electricity, avoiding wastage of water, usage of cars for short distance, etc can help a lot in minimizing the existing problems. It is important to ensure that we must create progress within the limits the planet EARTH provides,so that it is a sustainable home not only for us, but also for our future generations....!!!