Closed Captioned
Grades College, Adult
Produced by Catherine Mullins & Marrin Cannel
DVD Purchase $295, Rent $150
US Release Date: 1995
Copyright Date: 1994
DVD ISBN: 0-7722-1218-X
VHS ISBN: 0-7722-0557-4
Subjects
Anthropology
Conflict Resolution
Consumerism
Developing World
Economics
Environment
Environmental Ethics
Human Rights
Humanities
Population
Religion
Social Justice
Social Psychology
Sociology
Sustainability
Urban and Regional
Women's Studies
Awards and Festivals
Gold & Special Achievement Awards, International CINDY Awards
Silver Plaque, International Film and TV Festival of New York
Nomination, Best Documentary Series, Gemini Awards
Honorable Mention, Columbus International Film & Video Festival
The Human Race
Is the western model of global development sustainable in a finite environment?
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"An outstanding effort, sure to inspire both serious thinking and fruitful debate." EDITOR'S CHOICE, Video Librarian |
Hosted by historian and journalist Gwynne Dyer, this series tackles the most complex and urgent global issue to emerge since the Cold War era: Can the human race reconcile the current rate of global development with a finite environment?
Around the world most people still struggle to exist much the way our ancestors did, but today one quarter of the world's population enjoys a standard of living never before dreamed possible. And thanks to the mass media, the rest of the world knows about it and wants to share in it too.
Dyer considers the roles that consumerism, nationalism, patriarchy, democracy and technology play in the delicate balance of our relationship with the planet we inhabit. As he examines our chances of surviving what he describes as the converging global crises, Dyer finds peril, but also grounds for hope.
The titles in the series are:
The Bomb Under the World - What are the consequences of consumerism taking hold in developing countries, like India?
The Gods of Our Fathers - There is nothing innate in patriarchy and militarism. We can change our culture.
The Tribal Mind - Post-apartheid South Africa is the best example of people struggling to overcome tribalism.
Escaping From History - Poverty and the consumer ethic clash in Mexico City. What can we do?
Reviews
"Highly recommended."
"Striking and well edited."
"This is a fascinating series...deeply concerning by definition, but unable by circumstance to offer the quick-fix solution we all want."
"While many may see programs about overpopulation and other unpleasantries as depressing and futile, this series provides a glimmer of hope."