Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University

South La Union Campus

Agoo, La Union

GECC 105 – SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY

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Name Dela Cruz, Jonelvira C. Score _______________
Course, Year & Section BSN 2-B

CHAPTER 4
ACTIVITY # 7 (p.91)
HUMAN FLOURISHING

Watch and reflect on the video clip entitled “Village of the Watermills” -
Akira Kurosawa found on the URL - https://vimeo.com/31359086. This video is the
last of eight short films that form the 1990 collection entitled "Dreams" by Akira
Kurosawa. In this film, a young man visits a village that has chosen to forgo modern
technology.

To those who have technical difficulties in watching the said video, refer to the
film transcript uploaded in a separate reading sheet of the same title.

Then answer the following questions to ponder on the essence of the

movie/reading to achieving Human Flourishing:

1. Why did the old man and his village choose not to use electricity? Is/are
his reason/s apparent today with other forms of modern technology? (15
pts)
 The old man in the Watermill scene says that, "people get used to
convenience, they think convenience is better” that’s why they choose not
to use electricity. In the film, what is truly good are the things we take for
granted; the things that mankind cannot dare to survive without, nature. It
only makes sense that in order to attain the good life we should choose to
establish a closer relationship with what we actually need to survive.
Although the old man has a point, the reason that he gave is not apparent
with other forms of modern technology. As today, we are living in an era in
which technology plays a huge part in the daily lives of the people

2. Compare the lifestyle of the Village of the Watermills with settlements

during the Agricultural Revolution as discussed in "The Waves of
Technology." To see what this Agricultural revolution is, click on this url:
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-
worldhistory/chapter/the-agricultural-revolution/ (20 pts)
 The lifestyle of the people in the Village of the watermills closely
resembles those from the Agricultural Revolution as both of these
lifestyles involves farming and domesticating animals for their own use.
Mass production of crops for the consumption of the people and trading
is very evident in both style of living. There are a lot of similarities that
can be pointed out of from both of them but those are the most evident
and relevant.
 Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University
South La Union Campus
Agoo, La Union

GECC 105 – SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY

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3. Is the film critical of scientists - if so, in what way? Based on the film, is
S&T really necessary to attain the human flourishing? Why or why not?
(20 pts)
 Science and technology is the reflection of the progress of men as
rational beings. The inventions that we have made and points that we
have reached have made us into a better society in which the impact of
technology can be seen at every corner. These technologies have made
our lives economically better in fields such as agriculture, health and
medicine, communication, disaster preparedness and in many others.
These things are not necessary for us to live as a human being but these
are necessary for us to move forward as a society and uplift our
economy in a lot of other aspects. Technology can help us break
through borders and pass through our limits as people.