Automation
Sections
- 1. Segment 1 (00:36)
- 2. Segment 2 (01:07)
- 3. Segment 3 (00:21)
- 4. Segment 4 (00:32)
- 5. Segment 5 (01:55)
- 6. Segment 6 (00:29)
- 7. Segment 7 (00:22)
- 8. Segment 8 (01:00)
- 9. Segment 9 (00:51)
- 10. Segment 10 (00:46)
- 11. Segment 11 (00:13)
- 12. Segment 12 (00:51)
- 13. Segment 13 (00:27)
- 14. Segment 14 (00:35)
- 15. Segment 15 (00:24)
- 16. Segment 16 (00:58)
- 17. Segment 17 (01:04)
- 18. Segment 18 (00:37)
- 19. Segment 19 (00:25)
- 20. Segment 20 (00:34)
- 21. Segment 21 (01:02)
- 22. Segment 22 (01:14)
- 23. Segment 23 (00:21)
- 24. Segment 24 (01:13)
- 25. Segment 25 (01:17)
- 26. Segment 26 (00:13)
- 27. Segment 27 (00:13)
- 28. Segment 28 (00:32)
- 29. Segment 29 (00:47)
- 30. Segment 30 (00:38)
- 31. Segment 31 (00:39)
- 32. Segment 32 (01:18)
- 33. Segment 33 (00:28)
- 34. Segment 34 (00:27)
- 35. Segment 35 (00:20)
- 36. Segment 36 (00:20)
- 37. Segment 37 (00:31)
- 38. Segment 38 (00:21)
- 39. Segment 39 (01:10)
- 40. Segment 40 (01:06)
- 41. Segment 41 (00:16)
- Date
1964
- Summary
-
Mr. Hoffer examines the role that works plays in self-esteem as well as the effects of growing automation upon this self-esteem. He comments on the basic human need in all societies, in every period of history, for self-realization. It is, he feels, the feeling of worth derived from productive activity whether it be manual labor or the creation of art, literature and philosophy. Mr. Hoffer points out that early science grew out of Western man’s conception of God as “a master scientist,” and that Leonardo da Vinci, for his art, investigated anatomy and became interested in science because he believed it was “God’s work.” He then traces the development of machines from early civilization to what he terms, “present day over-mechanization and automation.” Today’s fast-growing automation and shrinking labor market is turning early man’s dream of luxury and leisure into a nightmare. Unemployment among workers is outstripping the ability of today’s economy to supply jobs for the unskilled. Mr. Hoffer cites current unemployment figures and projects them into the future, commenting that “when man is cut off from the chance to exercise his skills, he loses his confidence, his joy for life, and his sense of worth. Where you have people without a sense of usefulness, you have a potentially explosive situation ideal for the growth of hatred, bigotry and racism.”
- Contributors
Eric Hoffer; James Day; Winifred Murphy; Bernie Stoffer; KQED, San Francisco
- Publishers
National Educational Television; Indiana University Audio-Visual Center
- Genres
Educational; Interview
- Subject
Philosophy
- Collection
National Educational Television
- Unit
IUL Moving Image Archive
- Language
English
- Rights Statement
- No Copyright - United States
- Other Identifiers
Other: GR00466334; MDPI Barcode: 40000003112788; MDPI Barcode: 40000003112796
Access Restrictions
This item is accessible by: the public.