Technology’s role in Wall-e

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.

Journey through Nature

 

I’m going to discuss Joy Williams essay “Save the Whales, Screw the Shrimp” . She lost me from the first paragraph. “…and you don’t believe in Nature anymore. It’s too isolated from you. You’ve abstracted it. It’s so messy and damaged and sad.” (p. 634) Her supporting evidence of this claim is that greed, vanity, quest for self-fulfillment, guilt, and regret, have kept all people away from not only nature but even photographs of nature. She says “…you’ve decided you’re just not going to attend this particular party”. (p. 635) Her opinion of all people’s relationship with the environment is as scathing as her opinion of people’s relationship with nature. She describes environment as “A cold word, mechanistic, suited strangely to the coldness generally felt toward nature.” (p. 635) She goes on to say, “You don’t mind giving it up.” (p. 635) This does not describe my, and many others, relationship with nature at all. I can agree with Williams that there are people who don’t enjoy, appreciate, or protect nature and the environment. However, there are many more of us that do! In my lifetime, I have never heard such bleak talk of nature or the environment. As a nature lover, I was shocked to hear nature and our environment characterized as abstract and isolated from people. It did open my eyes to the fact that not all people do experience nature and care for the environment the way I do. My parents raised me with frequent experiences with nature. My social circle appreciates nature and the environment. I raised my daughter with the appreciation of nature and environment. While enjoying nature and our environment, I have met many people like me. Protecting the environment is a constant obligation. I can always do more. You can always do more. However, today many of Williams’ claims are no longer valid. Her essay, “Save the Whales, Screw the Shrimp” is so outdated, over twenty years old, much work has been done to correct many of the problems she discusses and examples she uses.  Do not believe for even a moment that Williams’ opinions and blanket statements about people’s relationship with nature and our environment apply to everybody.  Do not believe that it is too late if you have not yet been awed by nature or done your part to protect our environment.

Williams says, “In your desire to get away from what you’ve got, you’ve caused there to be no place to get away to.” (pg. 637) I am going to take you on a much different journey through nature than Williams describes in her essay. One of my many journeys filled with enjoyment and appreciation for nature. I will show you how I respect the environment and the progress made over the last twenty years to protect it. This is not only my journey but also the journey of many others like me that enjoy nature. There are many scenic waterways not far from southern Illinois, just across our state border in Missouri. Within a short, scenic drive are the Current River, Black River, Big  Piney, Little Piney, Gasconade, and Meramac. There are more, but you get the idea that there are many natural waterways in our surrounding area. All are beautiful spectacles of nature. The Current River has no dam. It has been left untouched except by Mother nature. You will not find a single condo built along the banks of the Current River. The water is crystal clear, unpolluted, and you can see the fish swimming and beautiful rocks on the river bed. The banks of the river are lined by a forest. There are variety of trees, young and old. Nearby a Heron stands in the river stalking his prey. We startle the Heron. As he flies away we are awed by his wing span which seems like six feet. Now, imagine sitting on the bank of the river, the quiet and stillness, no traffic or shopping malls. Listen to the birds singing and the peaceful sound of the water gently flowing asthe current pushes it. This is what I experience when I visit any of the rivers.

 I’m going to take you on down the river by canoe. No motors here. A paddle and the driftof the current are our transportation. Down river is one of my favorite places, Blue Springs. It is a natural, cold springs. The water is brilliant blue from the frigid temperature. It must be thirty feet deep and the water is so clear I can see the floor of the springs as if it is only two feet deep. Heaven on Earth does exist! Do not let anyone tell you it doesn’t. Get out there and enjoy it, learn about it, love it, and protect it!

Williams also states, “The way they protect the environment these days is to find an “acceptable level of harm from a pollutant and then issue rules allowing industry to pollute to that level.” (pg. 636) I have a much different experience at lake Egypt. For many years I enjoyed Lake Egypt in Goreville, IL. This is located in Shawnee National Forest, a forest protected by the Federal Government. There is a power plant that maintains the lake. It is one of the most pristine lakes in Illinois. The fish are safe to eat. There is not a condo to be found. The forest is full of thriving wildlife. Not a day goes by without seeing deer near the water. This spot is Heaven on Earth. It’s an excellent example of progress and nature working together.

If describing these glorious places and taking a journey down the river by canoe isn’t enough to convince you to enjoy nature and improve your relationship with it, then perhaps the benefits to your health will motivate you. Many experiences with nature have proven health benefits, mentally and physically. A walk in the woods or a park, or any outdoor activity allows you to improve your relationship with nature while improving your health. Research shows that interactions with nature will ease anxiety and stress, lift symptoms of depression, diabetes, high blood pressure and, of course, obesity.

Enjoying nature and protecting our environment are so closely related for me. While I’m enjoying nature, I respect it. I leave the environment, after being inspired by nature, in the same condition I entered it. I do not litter. I am always prepared and pack trash containers. Each and every person who does not litter is helping protect our environment. Even if I am fishing on that particular day, I practice catch and release. This means that I return the fish back to the body of water. I do not kill or eat the fish I catch. By releasing them back into their habitat, I am helping keep the population of fish strong. This means there are fish for others to enjoy catching or that wildlife in the area have a meal, as that is the natural food chain. This is no small thing. If food supplies dwindle, wildlife dwindles also. While it may seem these first examples are small, they are not when millions of people practice them.  They are steps every single person can easily take to make a difference.

When so many people around the world are working to protect the environment, amazing things happen.  Since Williams essay, millions of people have played a part in facilitating positive change to protect our environment. For example, the protection and preservation of wildlife has improved tremendously. Thousands of species and their natural habitats are protected. Sea Turtle Sanctuaries can now be found all over coastal areas. Again, let me say that always more can be done, improvements made, but we have changed direction in the last twenty years and are on the right path. Protecting our environment is the constant responsibility of all people that inhabit planet Earth.

Now that you know many natural, awe-inspiring places still exist, join me and other nature lovers! Get out there and develop your relationship with nature. Float a canoe down the river, take a walk or hike in a state or national park, or just sit outside and listen to nature’s sounds. Protect your environment no matter how small the difference may seem.

 

The one that didn’t get away

     I am on Table Rock Lake in Missouri.  It is 5:30 in the morning, crack of dawn, and I get into my bass boat, a 17 foot V-hull with a 75 horsepower Johnson motor. It is a nice summer day with a little chill in the air.  I didn’t know it at the time, but this was the beginning of my best day fishing ever.  I cruise to a small island surrounded by deep water.  There are huge boulders, bigger than a truck with sharp edges, under my boat about 6 feet under the water.  The sun is starting to peak out. I cast between two boulders and I reel in a 3 pound, small-mouth bass. I cast again and get another one. I continue to catch one fish after another. I troll over to a pea gravel bank and cast.  Something big hits my lure and bends my rod in half.  I got him hooked and he starts to drag my line out.  I keep tension on the line and I start to reel him in.  He drags my line out again, it’s a big one!  I continue to fight him and he is starting to wear down. I get him to the boat and he really starts to fight.  He swims toward me and goes under my boat, smart fish.  I try to get him back out and by me. I can’t get him from under the boat.  So I use the trolling motor to move the boat away from the fish.  Now he swims toward the trolling motor and that is not good.  The line comes dangerously close to getting tangled in the motor so I have to turn off the motor and fight the fish away from it.  I finally get the boat away from him and get him next to the boat and scoop him up with my net. This all lasted a whole five minutes.   What an adrenaline rush!  This is the biggest small mouth I have ever seen, and I actually caught him.  He weighs 5 pounds.  I am still shaking.  This is the most exciting fish I have ever reeled in. 

     The fish I caught are stored in the live well of the boat.  I keep the best six fish of the day’s catch in the live well.  The limit of six is set by the state of Missouri.  I’m sure they feel the pain of being caught and are scared just like a “fish out of water”.  I take care not to hurt them anymore.  The live well has an aerator that keeps fresh water flowing in, keeping the fish healthy. 

     Now, I need to borrow the fish for my moment.  I cruise back to the marina and put them on a stringer very carefully.  I hold them up and have my friend take a picture of us.  The moment is captured in time now.  I can prove to the world my best day fishing.  I am only borrowing these fish for I practice catch and release.  Like many other fisherman, I don’t catch the fish to eat them.  I fish for the sport.

     With much care, I take one fish at a time and put them back into the water.  I do not throw them in but take them in my hand and submerge them, rocking them back and forth, running the water through their gills until they swim off on their own.  Using catch and release ensures that the bass population will stay strong and there will be fish to catch again some other day by me or another fisherman.  This will keep the sport going into the future. 

     I love the challenge of bass fishing and consider myself to be a good fisherman.  I feel responsible for the well- being of the fish and have a lot of respect for them. Outsmarting the fish and getting him to hit my lure is a lot of fun.  I need the fish to practice and enjoy my sport. Being able to catch them makes me feel at one with nature.  I get a rush when one hits my lure and takes it.  I borrow the fish for a moment, hold him, take a picture maybe, and release it.  I actually love the fish and the sport of bass fishing