Documentary, Germany, 2020, Directed by Leslie Franke & Herdolor Lorenz, 90 min (Small room) (German with English subtitles)

The documentary sheds light on the complex social challenges of today’s labor market, which is increasingly shaped by the gig economy. This term refers to a segment of the labor market where small tasks are assigned on short notice to independent contractors, freelancers, or part-time workers. Often, an online platform acts as an intermediary between the customer and the contractor, setting the framework and taking a commission. This work model promotes isolation by placing the entire responsibility on the individual, who must bear the full burden of their own success or failure. Success in this system depends solely on personal effort, and failures are often attributed solely to the individual.

In a discussion following the film screening, the audience was encouraged to reflect on fundamental questions about human collaboration and to critically examine how our competitive, capitalist culture promotes a “survival of the fittest” mentality. Together, the participants developed an alternative perspective: humans are naturally social beings. As cooperative creatures, we thrive through solidarity and collaboration—values that should be central in our society. Work should foster cooperation, creative collaboration, and solidarity—not isolation, competition, and burnout, which steal our time and energy for meaningful human relationships. Through discussing current issues, the participants themselves formulated the guiding principles of post-growth, making the topic clear and memorable. They were inspired by alternative ways of thinking and gained approaches to apply in their own working lives.