Blind+Spot-+Pringle

1. Title, director and release year? Blind Spot, Aldofo Doring, 2008

2. What is the central argument or narrative of the film? The abundance and low cost of energy has led to our society’s addiction of oil. The film warns of peak oil occurring earlier than expected based on the exponentially increasing demand of global energy.

3. What sustainability problems does the film draw out? The film mentions developed countries economic, cultural, and behavioral reliance on oil. This can result in drastic change of lifestyle and need for rapid and drastic social and organization reconstruction. Underdeveloped countries may have the advantage of social development if we are not able to cut our reliance of oil. The film touches on perception of poverty in America, many are considered poor if they do not own an automobile. This mindset has to change, instead tax incentives should be offered to people who chose not to own a vehicle and use public or energy free transportation. We have become so dependent economically on fossil fuels whether it is manufacturing, transportation, electricity, etc. Once fossil fuels are gone and we have not switched to alternative forms of renewable energy a complete economic catastrophe will occur. We currently use cost of oil to determine the price of our products this being said it is not hard to imagine how expensive everyday products we rely on will sky rocket once oil is scarce. Seems that currently Americans live in a “Make believe culture” where we assume things will automatically work themselves out without affecting our daily life. This ignorance will come back to bite us in the ass soon an issues such as raising gas prices and market recession are early indicators of what is yet to come. Until we recognize our “Blind Spot,” we will continue to move closer to the impending energy crisis.

4. What parts of the film did you find most persuasive and compelling? Why? The old Shell commercial was very compelling because it shows how an outdated commercial is still 100% relevant to our current usages of oil. The commercial described the amount of petroleum products we use everyday such as medicine, carpets, toothpaste, etc. These outdated methods of energy need to change 10 years ago instead we are still resisting change rather than hitting the problem head on. The Roman Empire is portrayed as a complex society with extremely high cost to maintain their current lifestyle. As we all know the Roman Empire failed and was a result of a societal net loss. If this does not remind you of America then something is wrong. Although we might feel we are more intelligent and advanced to handle issues that come along it is ignorant to think that we are indestructible as well as the environment we are abusing.

5. What parts of the film were you not compelled or convinced by? The film mentions the use of corn to create ethanol is not energy viable based on fact it takes more energy to produce then what it provides. Although I understand this is true would it not make sense to use corn just too simply sustain the amount of energy of farm needs to operate. When you combine other sustainable solutions such as wind energy this is a very attractive sustainable solution. These closed energy cycles would not rely on the grid and can maintain themselves using the harvest of their crops.

6. What additional information does this film compel you to seek out? Where do you want to dig deeper and what connections do you want to make with other issues, factors, problems, etc.? The film makes me want to search out what resources the Roman Empire heavily relied on and if there were early indications that the Empire would fail. The Roman lifestyle was very extravagant for its time they had much advanced technology this comparison to the United States. We need to learn from our former mistakes in history and make steps to improve these issues.

7. What audiences does the film best address? What kind of imagination is fostered in viewers? Do you think the film is likely to change the way viewers think about and act on environmental problems? The film will most likely change the view people have on everyday energy intensive processes. The film bluntly calls out the ignorance people have when it comes to consumption and energy usage. It was refreshing to see a film smack people in the face with brutal honesty rather than avoiding confrontation.

8. What kinds of action or points of intervention are suggested by the film? There were no individual points of intervention offered in the film. So the film suggests that we need to re evaluate our definition of progress and take closer control of our complex society. These solutions are all very generic and offer little hope of action.

9. What could have been added to this film to enhance its environmental educational value? The film could have touched more on the impact we as individual can have on the environment in a positive way. It would be interesting to see educational programs that focus on issues like reducing consumption and participating in sustainable activities.