Small Is Beautiful: Impressions of Fritz Schumacher
1978
29 min
Coming soon
This film is a short documentary portrait of economist, technologist and lecturer Fritz Schumacher. Up to age 45, Schumacher was dedicated to economic growth. Then he came to believe that the modern technological explosion had grown out of all proportion to human need. Author of Small Is Beautiful - A Study of Economics as if People Mattered and founder of the London-based Intermediate Technology Development Group, he championed the cause of "appropriate" technology. The film introduces us to this gentle revolutionary a few months before his death.
Details
This film is a short documentary portrait of economist, technologist and lecturer Fritz Schumacher. Up to age 45, Schumacher was dedicated to economic growth. Then he came to believe that the modern technological explosion had grown out of all proportion to human need. Author of Small Is Beautiful - A Study of Economics as if People Mattered and founder of the London-based Intermediate Technology Development Group, he championed the cause of "appropriate" technology. The film introduces us to this gentle revolutionary a few months before his death.
-
directorDouglas KieferBarrie HowellsDonald Brittain
-
producerDouglas KieferBarrie HowellsDonald Brittain
-
executive producerPeter Katadotis
-
scriptDonald Brittain
-
narratorDonald Brittain
-
photographyDouglas Kiefer
-
soundFraser MacAninch
-
editingBarrie Howells
-
sound editingMichel Bordeleau
-
re-recordingJean-Pierre Joutel
-
musicYehudi MenuhinBrian MacleodYehudi Menuhin Youth Orchestra
Education
Ages 16 to 17
History and Citizenship Education - Culture and Currents of Thought (1500-present)
History and Citizenship Education - Economy and Development (1500-present)
Social Studies - Economics
In what ways could Schumacher be considered a "revolutionary"? Explain what Schumacher meant by his term "appropriate" technology. Discuss the idea that bigger is not always better when it comes to technological growth. Discuss the ERCO plant and the oil refinery in Come-By-Chance as significant disasters in Newfoundland's history. What would Schumacher think of the technological explosion that occurred after his death?
