Notes to Running Out of Time

As you watch "Running Out of Time," please pay special attention to

the people who are interviewed- such as Jeremy Rifkin who wrote The Jobless Future, Juliet Schor, John DeGraff (the producer of the documentary),

Wanda Urbanska and Frank Levering (simple living in "Mayberry"), Amy Saltzman (downshifting) and the others. Note the historical details that are shown- things that are shown that we have covered in class and in readings are important. Watch the reports from Japan (for example, the phenomena of Karoshi) and Germany. Listen carefully to the anthropologist's report on tribal people's time use. Note the problems caused by overwork that are discussed by physicians and others. Listen to the "solutions" offered for overwork- job sharing, downshifting, working hours reductions etc.

Pay attention to the structure of the documentary.

A. The problem, overwork- defined- be able to discuss the origin of overwork, pay special attention to Juliet Schor's discussion of productivity and the way the American people have used productivity gains since the early 1950s.

B. Difficulties, other problems caused by overwork (eg Karoshi, stress, family problems, deterioration of the community, heart disease, etc.). Pay close attention to Rifkin's discussion of how the work force is being divided into two groups- those with "good" jobs vs. those without good jobs.

C. Contrasts with other cultures and historical periods (Japan, the Machiginga)

D. History of working hours (Kellogg)

E. Solutions