This film is one of the few, and maybe the only one I've seen over TV, to correctly and repeatedly identify overpopulation (particularly of Western civilization, and those striving to be like us) as THE problem of our times. The other problems listed are: war on nature, rich/poor, peak oil, global warming. They are all influenced by overpopulation.
And the film tries to present some reasonable solutions we can all do. First, drive past Exxon/Esso/Mobil. I already do that, because of other rotten policies they have. It's a horrible person (the law says it is a person) and I don't do business with horrible people. Then the three "Lifebulb" changes (no, not the Ohio designer/photographer, not the vacation company, and not the CFL lightbulb company): no beef, one baby, buy used. These are all great ideas, and all possible right now (unless you've already had more kids than you should).
Then... "change of heart". It's not really explained what this means, or how it will work. It's just there. People's relationships with other people are very complex. You can't wish away the realities of the brain/mind.
Giant-killing... this seems to be about becoming your own Michael Moore. It works. But not very often. That's why we all need to do it.
Last is transition/relocalization, although what they say sounds just a little bit communist to me. And I'm a socialist. People are going to have a problem with the end of privacy, the communal living, etc. It also seems to require a construction boom like the world has never seen. Where is the fuel coming for that? And, if you make my city into series of small towns, I'm out of here. Small towns are toxic conformist places, and nobody should have to live in one. (Sorry small towns, but you know it's true).
It's a shame that this film is so Canada-centric, given that the problems and solutions are common to all Western-style populations.
And again, it's sad that this film is presented in such a joking (really, really, bad joking) manner. You have to force yourself to keep watching it, because it does seem to offer at least some worthwhile solutions. Failure at stand-up comedy doesn't mean you should make a film showing off your lack of talent.
And the film tries to present some reasonable solutions we can all do. First, drive past Exxon/Esso/Mobil. I already do that, because of other rotten policies they have. It's a horrible person (the law says it is a person) and I don't do business with horrible people. Then the three "Lifebulb" changes (no, not the Ohio designer/photographer, not the vacation company, and not the CFL lightbulb company): no beef, one baby, buy used. These are all great ideas, and all possible right now (unless you've already had more kids than you should).
Then... "change of heart". It's not really explained what this means, or how it will work. It's just there. People's relationships with other people are very complex. You can't wish away the realities of the brain/mind.
Giant-killing... this seems to be about becoming your own Michael Moore. It works. But not very often. That's why we all need to do it.
Last is transition/relocalization, although what they say sounds just a little bit communist to me. And I'm a socialist. People are going to have a problem with the end of privacy, the communal living, etc. It also seems to require a construction boom like the world has never seen. Where is the fuel coming for that? And, if you make my city into series of small towns, I'm out of here. Small towns are toxic conformist places, and nobody should have to live in one. (Sorry small towns, but you know it's true).
It's a shame that this film is so Canada-centric, given that the problems and solutions are common to all Western-style populations.
And again, it's sad that this film is presented in such a joking (really, really, bad joking) manner. You have to force yourself to keep watching it, because it does seem to offer at least some worthwhile solutions. Failure at stand-up comedy doesn't mean you should make a film showing off your lack of talent.
