Entry #5 A Cynical Tale by a Friendly Company

Before the invasion of smartphones in everyday life, in 2008 Disney decided to spread a new message concerning the environment and the expansion of technology. They did this through the traditional Disney way: film. Wall-E was a full feature Disney/Pixar film focusing on the mess humans left Earth behind and how their new lifestyle of consumerism and technology addictions had led to an oblivious, obese population.

After watching Wall-E, I was motivated to change my lifestyle. I spent less time online, I tried to eat healthier, and be more careful with my trash. It inspired me to be more of an eco-friendly person. Later, however; after watching this movie, another theme that became more apparent to me. Part of an important message was the humans' obsession with technology and the consumer society they had created. Product placement was everywhere and it was such a core part of their life that they never realized it was there to begin with. All that mattered was buy "buy n' large" because you have to!

The humans spent everyday surrounded by technology and never had to get up. The movie proves a point that technology is helpful, but also destructive. Humans have lost the ability to walk thanks to the excessive amount of technology and don't even recognize each other by face. They won't even take the time to look at each other. Sound familiar? With modern day smart phones, the future of Wall-E is slowly becoming true. People rarely look at each other when their eyes are glued to the flat piece of technology in front of them.

At the same time, our phones are loaded with ads, We constantly have someone telling us to buy something we don't even want. Yet it's normal. We no longer question it and we scroll by it as if it's a normal, everyday occurrence. The people in Wall-E are the same way with the Buy N Large brand that even after they leave Earth, they don't notice how they are buying in to this company. It controls their entire society, and they're so absorbed in technology they can't be bothered to care.

How can we prevent the future of Wall-E from happening? The first step we can take is to spend a little time outside, a little less time on our phones and pay attention to the world around us. Become active in the community, be a hero. Don't be afraid to share your voice. Our future doesn't have to be like this, it can change if you make it change.