Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Welcome to Imagining Utopia. At a time when so many are calling for a reimagining of the systems that we depend upon for our everyday existence, from energy generation and political participation to city planning and economic distribution, now is the time to rethink and critically investigate what that new world might look like. This is a blog for that purpose.
1 comment:
Boy oh boy do I love the movie Wall-e! I have to say I was a little disappointed that we never got to experience this masterpiece in class together, but I would just like to highlight some of its main points that really have affected me. After being introduced to the really abusive nature of corporations and humans in general, to each other and to our planet, I felt Wall-e really stood up for what humanity is at it's core--nurturing each other and our planet because that is where our future lies.
That being said, I was truly affected by the subtle analysis of corporate dominance in government and in society. In Wall-e, the virtual Walmart, called Buy N Large is a waste producing monopoly that controls almost all industries. The CEO of Buy N Large is actually the President or Leader of the world and all citizens are controlled by the corporate policies and politics. Consumerism is the new democracy and everyone is concerned about money money money and buying whatever is in style. This vice-like grasp on the everyday lives of citizens is indeed frightening, especially since I already see it in our own lives. Think about it...brand consciousness, government bailouts of the private industry, growing global monopolies (anyone know what google doesn't do?!). This is real and this is scary.
I was similarly affected by the apathetic and lazy nature of the humans in the movie. All of the activities that usually enrich human life (personal interaction, physical activity, exploration of the natural world, faith, and family) were lacking. The pleasures that the humans experienced were more concerned with things, rather than experiences and thus their existences seem very superficial and meaningless. Obesity, instant messaging, virtual reality...these all exist in our own community...will they continue to endanger our human experience?
Of course Wall-e also has an astounding ecological message that is really the backbone of the film. If only someone cared enough to take care of the planet, the humans wouldn't have had to leave. But because of the "manifest destiny" complex of the human race the only true home we know, is in real danger.
I love that this film is SO impactful because honestly, we need it. We need to show our children that our actions have consequences and that if we don't alter the radical course that we are on right now (a very real path to self-destruction) we will end up living very sad lives, if living at all.
Three cheers for Pixar. You made an entertaining film that is actually good for society!
Post a Comment