WALL-E: A Cautionary Against Technological Dependence

In a world where technologies promise convenience and connectivity, artificial intelligence completes our work, and our attention spans suffer more than ever, the 2008 Pixar film WALL-E offers a nuanced exploration of what happens when these advances come at the cost of our very humanity through the eyes of a lone robot left to live in and clean up our mess. Throughout this essay, “humanity” refers to the essential qualities that define us as human beings, including agency, curiosity, physical and mental capabilities, a sense of purpose, environmental responsibility, and resilience. WALL-E serves as a cautionary tale, following a journey that critiques our overreliance on advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and automation, leading to environmental destruction, physical and mental deterioration, and a loss of purpose in life. WALL-E paints a future of unchecked technological advancement exemplified by environmental devastation and human devolution. This movie serves as a warning through the visual juxtaposition between the creative, industrious robots and their obese, over-consuming, technology-reliant human counterparts. Three key scenes– the opening sequence with Wall-E, his meeting with the humans on The Axiom, and, lastly, the film’s climax– demonstrate how WALL-E implicitly criticizes the benefits of technological advancement, suggesting that it leads to laziness, obesity, and a loss of meaning in life. On the other hand, A.O. Scott examines the love story that the film tells and almost proposes a paradoxical message of technology in his New York Times review; he overlooks and undermines the movie’s warning that this essay will examine. Instead, WALL-E is much more nuanced and even somewhat critical, implying to the viewer that they must be conscious about their relationship with technology and ensure it improves them rather than replaces them.

As soon as the film begins, it immediately sets the stage for its critique of unchecked technological dependence in the opening scene (WALL-E 01:20-10:40), unforgivingly showing the consequences of human’s unhinged advancements and treatment of their environment. The scene opens with a slow, panning shot of a desolate cityscape covered in a dusty haze. Buildings crumbled, and the streets lie under mountains of trash. This imagery immediately establishes the film’s dystopian setting and introduces the central theme of environmental destruction. The absence of life in this scenery evokes a feeling of eerie silence while emphasizing the devastation of unrestrained consumption and reliance on technology. Instead, the only animate object to be found is Wall-E, a small, battered, trash-compacting robot who immediately proves to the viewer his perseverance and resourcefulness as he diligently works, compacting and stacking endless piles of garbage. Despite the immense amounts of garbage, Wall-E’s commitment to his job reflects poorly on the humans, revealing their laziness and lack of concern for Earth after abandonment. Additionally, the producers chose to include the song “Put On Your Sunday Clothes” from the musical Hello, Dolly! represents an era before the quick technological progress and emphasis on consumerism, which resulted in environmental harm, as shown in the movie. The nostalgic song from the 1960s brings listeners back to the pre-1990s era before the technological advancements. As the music plays, the difference between the happy tune and the barren, littered scenery becomes more noticeable. This mix of optimism from the music and depression through the landscape creates a concoction of emotions that serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of human actions and the impact of unchecked consumption and technological dependence on the environment. The song’s presence highlights the absence of human life and the abandonment of responsibility. A once-thriving city is now a silent wasteland, with only Wall-E left to clean up the mess. This realization evokes a sense of guilt in the viewer, forcing them to confront the ramifications of society’s actions and the failure to prioritize our environment. Guilt arises as the viewer recognizes that the world depicted in the film is not a distant, unrelated future but a potential consequence of our current trajectory. The contrast between the song’s cheerful tone and Wall-E’s tireless work ethic amplifies the feeling of guilt, as the robot’s dedication to cleaning up the mess left behind by humans serves as a poignant reminder of the need for individual and collective action to address environmental challenges. With little dialogue, WALL-E uses powerful imagery and music to establish its setting, introduce its central themes, and set the stage for the critique of technological dependence throughout the film. Ultimately, this scene urges viewers to reflect on their own role in contributing to environmental issues and their responsibility to make more sustainable choices.

Building upon the themes established in the opening scene, the encounter between Wall-E, Eve, and the humans on the Axiom (WALL-E 00:40:20-00:45:20) provides a direct glimpse into the consequences the humans face, such as morbid obesity, inability to walk, and constant consumption. As Wall-E follows Eve through the spaceship, he confronts a society where humans rely on robots and technology for their every need. They live happily morbidly obese, unable to walk or even stand on their own and spend their days passively floating in hover chairs. These people stare at screens all day, consuming endless entertainment and advertising, while robots cater to their every need. This scene is humorous and disturbing, demonstrating how technology could infantilize and dehumanize society if we allow it to replace humanity’s agency and connection to the real world. Their bodies grow weak and flabby from lack of use, and their minds dull from constant exposure to screens. These humans lost the ability to care for themselves as they grew used to constant catering. This scene explicitly suggests that, without introspection, technology can lead to a loss of our physical and mental capabilities. Furthermore, the continuous consumption of media and advertising indicates that human technologies disconnect them from the real world and lose their sense of purpose and meaning in life. We see in the “try blue, it’s the new red” (WALL-E 00:41:36) scene that the Axiom bombards them with messages telling them what to buy and how to live, and as passive consumers, they no longer actively participate in their own lives. The scene where Wall-E and Eve meet the humans on the Axiom is a powerful yet disturbing reminder of the dangers of technological dependence, which erodes the individual’s sense of individuality and purpose. The loss of their ability to care for themselves parallels their failure to care for their planet, suggesting that their neglect of personal responsibility extends to their environment. This scene illustrates how technology, when used without mindfulness, can erode essential aspects of our humanity, such as self-reliance, curiosity, and engagement with the world around us. The humans’ passive acceptance of their condition and the ship’s automated systems highlight the danger of allowing technology to replace human agency and critical thinking.

The climax of WALL-E (WALL-E 01:19:20-01:29:40) offers a glimmer of hope amidst the film’s theme of technological dependence. After Wall-E and Eve successfully return the plant to the Axiom, the ship’s autopilot, AUTO, attempts to prevent the humans from returning to Earth. A chaotic struggle occurs, where AUTO crushes Wall-E. However, the humans finally take action inspired by Wall-E’s determination and Eve’s passion. They work together to defeat AUTO and take control of the ship, setting a course for Earth. This scene is significant because it demonstrates humanity’s ability to change and adapt in hardship, which technology inherently tries to solve, ultimately driving humans to find new problems to solve. Despite centuries of living in a technologically dependent state, humanity still finds the strength and courage to take action when a new path opens up. This pivotal moment in the film demonstrates that, despite overwhelming technological influence, humanity’s resilience and adaptability persist. The humans’ decision to fight against the ship’s autopilot and return to Earth symbolizes a rekindled sense of purpose and a desire to reclaim their autonomy. This scene supports the film’s message that technology should serve as a tool to enhance human potential rather than a replacement for human initiative. By taking control of their destiny and choosing to rebuild their lives on Earth, the humans symbolize the film’s call to action for a more balanced relationship with technology, prioritizing human agency and environmental stewardship.

Wall-E and Eve, two robots who have developed a deep love for each other and Earth, are catalysts for the humans’ reawakening. This catalyst suggests that technology, when used in the service of love and hope, can instead help to restore our humanity. The film ends with a shot zooming out into space, showing Earth returning to its healthy, natural state. This symbol of hope and renewal suggests that humans can still find a way to live in harmony with nature. However, the film also clarifies that this will be a challenging task. The humans still remain obese and out of shape, and they will need to work hard to rebuild their lives on Earth. However, the fact that they try to improve themselves shows they have not entirely lost their humanity. The climax of WALL-E is a powerful and hopeful message about the potential for humans to overcome their dependence on technology and rebuild their relationship with the natural world. The film urges viewers to be mindful of their relationship with technology, recognizing its potential benefits while actively guarding against its capacity to diminish our humanity.

In contrast to the film’s cautionary message about technological dependence, A.O. Scott’s review of WALL-E focuses on the love story between Wall-E and Eve, suggesting a more paradoxical perspective on technology. Scott argues that the same human drive that leads to technological advancement also inspires solutions to the problems it creates. However, this interpretation dismisses the film’s depiction of the negative consequences of technological dependence on humanity and the natural world. The film’s visual storytelling, character development, and overall narrative consistently stress the need for a more balanced and mindful approach to technological progress, prioritizing agency, environmental responsibility, and the preservation of humanity.

WALL-E is not just a love story or an environmental warning. WALL-E is a critique of unchecked technological dependence, challenging the notion that technological progress brings human betterment. Instead, the film encourages us to carefully consider how technology shapes our lives, ensuring it remains a tool to enhance our experience, not a crutch that leads to our deterioration. On the other hand, WALL-E also reminds us that humanity has the ability to regain its footing and use technology as a catalyst to create a better future, but only if we are deliberate in its use. As artificial intelligence, faster computers, and other advanced technologies increasingly integrate into our lives, the movie shows the importance of striking a balance between technological progress and preserving our humanity and environment, considering the long-term implications of our growing dependence on technology and actively shaping our relationship with it. When the humans return to Earth and decide to live in harmony with nature, WALL-E offers a hopeful vision of a future in which technology is a tool for positive change rather than a substitute for human initiative and responsibility. As we go about our day-to-day activities, consider the film’s warning and embrace its message of balance and mindfulness. That way, we can work towards a future in which technological advancement and humanity’s progression go hand in hand.

Bibliography

WALL-E. Directed by Andrew Stanton, Streamed, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, 2008.

Scott, A. O. “In a World Left Silent, One Heart Beeps.” The New York Times, 27 June 2008, www.nytimes.com/2008/06/27/movies/27wall.html. Accessed 7 Mar. 2024.