The future of work / directed by Jeremy Rifkin.

Format:

Video

Contributor:

Rifkin, Jeremy, director.

Alexander Street Press.

Series:

Filmakers library online

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Technological unemployment.

Employment forecasting.

Genre:

Documentary films.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (26 minutes)

Place of Publication:

New York, NY : Filmakers Library, 1997.

Language Note:

In English.

System Details:

digital

data file

Summary:

In the information revolution, just as in the industrial revolution that preceded it, machines are changing the workplace, making certain skills obsolete and leaving vast numbers of workers angry, frustrated and feeling powerless. In this provocative film we hear from economist Jeremy Rifkin (author of The End of Work) who foresees a calamity of global proportions as 80% of the workforce is marginalized, replaced by robots and computers. Only the well-educated, technologically adept people will survive. He predicts that society will become more polarized between rich and poor; the standard of living of even the middle class will slip ; and the psychological trauma of unemployment will have far reaching effects on society. Mr. Rifkin feels that political leadership can help avert these dire consequences with innovative thinking. He proposes a 30 -hour work week and the alternation of work time with child care among married couples. Volunteer work in the non profit sector should be considered "social capital", paid for by the government. A "value-added tax " on high tech goods and services would be put in a pool of money for the unemployed to work in non-profit jobs. On the other hand, we hear from businessman, economist Stanley Hartt who feels that businesses must continue to cut back on employees to keep the "bottom line' profitable. He acknowledges that there will be short term suffering, but thinks in the long run everything will work out. The questions provoked by The Future of Work will enliven any course on economics, society, and social theory. It will also warn young people of the importance of being skilled in the information age.

Notes:

Title from resource description page (viewed November 09, 2015).

OCLC:

929482874

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.