Wall-e’s statement on the role technology plays in leading to dehumanization, obliviousness to environment, and obesity as normal for the human race illustrates the consequences we are currently facing and will continue to face into the future if we do not make changes. Dehumanization is making someone less human by taking away his or her individuality, creativity, and unique personality aspects. It includes the person losing sensitivity and compassion towards others. In the movie, people have become so dependent on technology their only experiences and communications are via technology. The human experience, face-to-face communication and touching another human being have been lost. In reality, America has been on this path for some time. The obesity problem in the world and specifically the United States is moving in the direction depicted in Wall-e. Poor nutrition, in Wall-e, and in America today coupled with the lack of exercise in Wall-e and America today, are the leading causes of obesity.

The movie opens with a bleak and desolate scene of Earth. Humans have destroyed the planet with waste and it is no longer inhabitable. These early scenes in the movie foreshadow the lazy, wasteful, dehumanized state of our society that we see later in the movie. Technology provided the solution to an uninhabitable Earth in the form of a luxury spaceship equipped with the latest gadgets to make life easy. Humans were going to cruise in their luxury spaceship, the Axiom, for five years while others were cleaning up the planet for their safe return. However, even the latest technology could not make Earth inhabitable again. The five year cruise turned into seven hundred years. In the end, humans have to resist the excess of technology to get back home to planet Earth much the same way we currently need to resist technology to prevent consequences as severe as seen in Wall-e.

The first we see of humans in the movie is when Wall-e follows Eve to the Axiom. It is startling to see that all humans are obese, dressed identically, and helpless. It is clear technology has played a large role in their current state. Humans on the Axiom are lazy and obese because technology is so advanced there is a machine to do everything for them. They are always in their hover chairs, they do not walk anymore. In Wall-e, humans are on a circuit in their chairs moving around the Axiom for their every need. Humans do not even have a job that would provide some exercise. A stop in the beauty salon shows that today’s barbers and stylists are replaced by robots. All manual labor that humans currently do has been replaced by robots. If a human is hungry or thirsty, they can drink a meal from a cup delivered by a robot. Because all humans are obese, convenience and good flavor appear to take priority to nutrition. This is like the current state of American society today that drives through fast food places to eat.  It tastes good but leads to obesity. Far too many Americans today do not sit down at the dinner table to a nutritious, home-cooked meal as a family. Technology has allowed Americans today to drive our cars to a window and order junk food that can be prepared in seconds. The food is called junk food due to its poor nutritional value and high fat content, but it tastes good. Fast food is a leading cause of obesity in America today just as it is in Wall-e.

 Humans around the Axiom are speaking to each other through the use of technology and their face is always on the screen. In fact, they only focus on the screen in front of their face and are ignorant of their environment. They are zombies, with no mind of their own. They are not even aware of the human in the chair next to them. This is much like our laptops, i-pads, and cell phones today. Dehumanization and desensitizing in America today has already begun. Our social networking, texting, and gadgets today have replaced writing letters, making telephone calls, and simply talking to each other face-to-face. You can see this on campus watching people text as they walk. Dehumanization and lack of compassion are currently at an all-time high. Texting, Facebook, and other gadgets allow us to be less sensitive. It is easier post and send cruel information than say it face-to-face. We have cyber bullies and kids committing suicide over texts and Facebook posts. It is easy to see that the lack of sensitivity and compassion in American today could lead to the levels seen in Wall-e.

Then Wall-e bumps into Mary. This character is introduced to emphasize the points being made by the previous scenes about the dehumanization of our society. What some viewers may not have interpreted from the scenery and population on board the Axiom, Mary clarifies. She is startled to actually see around her when Wall-e bumps into her and knocks her monitor out from in front of her face. Mary goes from being startled to curious. This is already the beginning of change for the human race. Mary sees her environment for the first time. Until today, she did not know there was a swimming pool on board the Axiom.

Mary will eventually talk to another human, John. This is the first intimate moment we see in the movie with humans. It is the beginning of change that is to come. While Wall-e and Eve are outside the ship playing, Mary, still exploring her environment, watches with awe. As she backs up her chair she bumps into John. Mary takes John’s screen down like Wall-e did for her. She is already sharing her experience with another human being. During this, Mary and John touch hands. Mary takes him to the swimming pool that she only recently discovered herself. They get their feet wet and enjoy splashing. The human experience is being enjoyed and shared.

Meanwhile, the captain, with the use of technology, and inspired by a green plant Eve brought from Earth, is curious about all sorts of activities from long ago. He gets very excited learning about hoedowns, dancing, and farming. The captain sees how humans once connected by touching, dancing, and celebrating. He also is captivated by the green grass that once existed on Earth. The captain researched an old manual and discovered his new directive was to return to Earth since it could sustain life again. The green plant Eve brought back from Earth is a symbol of a different way of life for humans on board Axiom, a new life. The green plant becomes the inspiration to resist technology in order to go back home.  This is much the same way we currently need to resist technology to prevent consequences as severe as seen in Wall-e.

Auto, however, sees the same plant as a threat to his directive to never return to Earth. This directive overrides the captain’s knowledge that he should return to Earth. The captain’s belief is so strong that he fights Auto for what he believes. During the fight, the captain appeals to the other humans on board. A war breaks out on board Axiom between humans and machines. This is a climactic moment in the human struggle to resist technology, think for themselves, and dream of a different life on Earth. During the struggle, humans are knocked out of their hover chair; this is symbolic of the change from their current dehumanized state to thinking for themselves and connecting to the human experience again. Humans join together bound by a common cause, to return to Earth. The captain wins the struggle with Auto. Eve, Wall-e, the rogue robots, and the humans all help to get the plant safely secured. This sets the Axiom’s course for Earth.

After landing on Earth, humans begin to restore the planet. Humans are now walking again. Crops are planted, using technology as assistance while they perform the work themselves. After hundreds of years in space, humans have evolved full circle to live and experience Earth as it was.

Wall-e’s statements on the role technology plays in our lives can be very bleak at times. However, as in real life, there is still opportunity to change. Wall-e shows us how using technology can lead to dehumanization, obesity, and a complete lack of awareness of our environment. Currently, in America, the same trends are happening. Technology is an addiction. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions, especially childhood obesity. The children in our country are playing video games instead of playing outside and getting exercise. The adult population doesn’t fare well either, leading the world in adult obesity. Proper nutrition and exercise are not priorities. Americans have their face on some sort of gadget screen so many hours of the day, they are less aware of their surroundings. Instead of a family outing to the lake for a day of fishing, you can simply play a video game to catch fish. This is leading to less awareness and exploration of our environment. Technology has also changed interpersonal experience and communication.  It is no longer necessary to have a discussion face to face. Our gadgets let us text and e-mail. Social networks like Facebook, allow us to update our friends and family with news and photos without ever having to speak with them. Just like the humans on board Axiom, change can start to take place one person at a time. It is not too late for America to change.