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17 décembre 2012 1 17 /12 /décembre /2012 12:48
INTRODUCTION
 
"The idea of progress basically consists in believing that the world can become better in terms of art, science, technology, liberty and quality of life and has shaped most of Western civilisation's vision of history . Progress implies change, some evolution from an old order with old traditions to a new order which is not necessarily embraced by all . It's at the heart oh a heated debate between those who approve of these changes and those who resist and criticize them in the name of tradition . As the rythm of progress seems to have accelerated these last few decades with an ever faster increase of major technological and scientific breakthroughs, the cult of novelty and progress is now being questioned . Indeed, a growing number of people voice their concern about the ethical, social and environmental consequences of such development and about the excesses of today's consumer society ." (MISSIONS Tale)
 
 
WHAT IDEA OF PROGRESS IS CONVEYED
 BY TODAY'S CONSUMER SOCIETY?
 
 
  1. EXCESSES :CONSUMERISM
Documents studied:
  • The American Cult of Consumerism, December 21, 20018, p126
  • Shopaholics Anonymous, letter p 127 + Video extract The true Confessions of a Shopaholic

https://youtu.be/xuNB_sokNA8

  • Black Friday Frenzy, videos
 
 
 

HOW CAN PEOPLE CHANGE

THEIR CONSUMPTION HABITS

 

      2.   RESISTANCE : BUY NOTHING DAY

Documents studied:

 

  • Adbusters _ Kalle Lasn on CNN for Buy Nothing Day
  • Buy Nothing Day website

 

3. ALTERNATIVES

 Document studied:

  • Freeganism, Sergio Burns, A Freegan World, September 2007, p 130 
  • Fair trade
  • recycling
  • bartering

 

 

 

CONCLUSION:

  • The idea of preogress : great changes undergone by society.
  •  Evolution of our modes of consumption . Excesses: overconsumption .
  • Counter-movements criticizing materialism and eternal dissatisfaction : campaigns like Buy Nothing Day.
  • Alternatives to frenzy shopping: freeganism . Goal : more respectful approach to consumption .
 
 
 
IDEA OF PROGRESS:
  • Technological progress : new technologies and communication tools, the Internet, domotics, CCTV, the cinema (special effects 3D), transports....
  • Medical progress : vaccines, organ transplants, struggle against AIDS and cancer, plastic surgery, in-vitro fertilization, cloning....
  • Scientific progress : space travels, environment....
  • Social progress : equality, parity, liberty, women-'s rights, gays' rights, quality of life, family,....
  • Economic progress: consumption....
  • Art, literature, cinema : culture and knowledge ...  
 
 
 
 
 
Interesting videos:Youtube :
  •  Coca Cola Security Cameras (parody)
  • NBC Reports on UK CCTV "Big Brother" Project
  • Plastic surgery addiction becoming more common
  • Space travel_Virgin Galactic promotional video
  • New technologies
  • Looking ahead to medical advances in 2012
  • ArdvinoX10Home Automation Project
  • Executive board reviews progress on gender equality
  • the politics of progress of gay rights
  • Human cloning
  • GCSE science revision  _  cloning Dolly the sheep  
 
 
 
 
 
 
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