Docu-lecture On Rifkin's Third Industrial Revolution

Jeremy Rifkin is an internationally renowned expert on economic theory, a senior lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania and a best-selling author of almost 20 books. Most notably, he’s been advising several heads of state, originating the EU's long-term economic strategy called Smart Europe, counselling Angela Merkel on Germany's transition to a low-carbon economy and creating a blueprint for the Internet Plus vision of the People's Republic of China. The point that I’m trying to make here is simple: the guy knows what he is talking about.

Recently, Vice published a feature-length documentary named after his book “The Third Industrial Revolution”, where Rifkin talks about an alternative plan for humanity that will deliver sustainable development. For almost two hours, covering a fascinating plethora of subjects, the economist lays out a roadmap of how we can get ourselves out of the current crisis, manifested in uncontrollable climate change, the exhaustion of natural resources, steep inequality, declining productivity and rising unemployment. In Rifkin’s opinion, the Internet of Things is at the heart of the solution to the converging issues of environmental disaster and global economic stagnation. He believes that Big Data will usher in a new industrial revolution and a new sharing economy, transforming our economic life and dramatically increasing our productivity.

“It’s not like any other documentary we’ve done. It has to be a teaching tool. I don’t want to just entertain and raise awareness, I want business leaders to listen to this and change. For me, it’s the most exciting thing we’ve ever done,” said Vice Media Chief Creative Officer Eddy Moretti to Fast Company.

I agree that Vice's documentary has something to do with teaching. In fact, it feels like attending a very interesting uni lecture that leaves students inspired, determined and ready to take on the world.