Individual and Planetary Impermanence: Dealing With the Nature of Decline

• Published in: PsycCritiques Vol. 58; no. 48; p. No Pagination Specified
• Main Author: Johnstone, Brick
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Psychological Association 11.12.2013
• Subjects: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Climate Change; Coping Behavior; Global Warming; Human; Muscular Disorders
• ISSN: 1554-0138; 1554-0138
• DOI: 10.1037/a0034944

Reviews the film, This Dewdrop World directed by Elizabeth Thompson (2013). The film weaves together several narratives that seem relatively unconnected at first but eventually are brought together nicely to make the viewer contemplate the impermanence of the world, including our individual selves (particularly our physical bodies) and our ever-evolving (and deteriorating) planet. The narrative begins as a mother (Peg Thompson, the director’s mother) has primary lateral sclerosis (PLS). This disease is a variant of the progressive disorder amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which is also more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The film provides insight into the manner by which one individual copes with this disease, as well as into the connections that exist between humans and the earth. A focus of the film shifts to climate change, humankind’s unwillingness to honestly address this issue and our contributions to it. It soon becomes obvious that the segments on global warming are analogous to Peg’s condition. That is, everything is fragile and impermanent, from individual humans to our complex planet. Viewers with family members with Lou Gehrig’s disease or its variants will likely find the parts of the film about Thompson’s condition and her admirable methods of coping with it inspirational, but this story is a small portion of the film. Those with strong interests in climate change, in the difficulties inherent in changing humans’ desire to address such issues, and in the frustrations of dealing with technological and financial issues that drive such changes will likely enjoy this film most. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)