The Perpetual Vacationer
We’re watching Wall•E with commentary from Director Andrew Stanton and we’re loving it! (You may have seen me tweet about it yesterday, but we had to split it into a two-day viewing because we started it too late last night.) Not only do they show concept art, storyboard panels, and video footage, (all awesome) the director gives some great insight on the messages they were trying to convey through certain ideas.
One particular thought he had I found very interesting. He was explaining the humans in space and how they were portrayed in the movie 700 years in the future—as lazy vacationers who interact with their neighbor via video screens and golf via touch screen. They’re in a perpetual vacation and never get out of their lounge chair. Instant gratification, as they click what they want to buy and receive it immediately. He talked about people on a busy street walking by each other on their cell phones, or in the commuting lane in their cars and how close we are to each other, but still being so removed. He joked that with things like 1-Click shopping, we will evolve into being only a thumb (for clicking) and a mouth (for eating).
My one question for you is, do advances in technology make us more removed from each other or more connected? I, personally, am more connected to those around me because of advances in technology, and social media specifically. There are so many people I would have never heard of a year ago, but now I know their interests, their career, their humor, etc. though many of them I have not met. Is this connection false? Does this change the definition of “connected”?
But most importantly, will there really be robots who do style my hair in the future?!
March 12th, 2009 at 10:12 am
First things first…if there aren’t robots who will style your hair in the future, you’ll at least have Mˇles to do it for you.
Secondly, I more agree with you than not. Although I’ve had some friends complain because I’m checking Twitter instead of paying attention to them “in real life,” for the most part I feel much more connected with people around the world than I would have ever dreamed two years ago.
Too many great opportunities for the future to think that it’s detrimental to be sufficiently engaged online. I’m excited about it. I think it changes the definition of “connected,” but not necessarily in a bad way. Just a different way. An awesomely different way.
Go America!
March 12th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Personally I hope the world becomes like it is portrayed in The Jetsons so that a robot will do my hair/make-up and the results will be instant. :)
Also, I sort of agree with the director. We are able to be connected to more people due to technology, but I don’t think many of those connections are as in depth as the connections we create with individuals we interact with regularly face to face.
March 14th, 2009 at 10:27 am
I think both are happening. Before this sort of technology, you were connected to the immediate people around you. This geographic connection was based only on physical proximity, which is an inefficient way of forming friendships. It allows for greater variations in interests, but it greatly decreases the variations in genetics.
These days, our geographic connections have decreased. Older people talk about how they “don’t even know” their neighbors. But, we’ve given up geographic connection for situational connection. I don’t know who lives above us, but I have a whole Twitter list of respective, professional web developers.
I don’t think we have fewer connections than before, they’re just different. People are social beings, and we find our societies despite our technology.
March 14th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
That’s my dream come true: have a robot that will style my hair in the morning. I would also want it to do my make-up. I honestly have wished that I would never have to do this task again for the rest of my life.
March 17th, 2009 at 9:53 am
I always worry that for everyone who can handle technology responsibly, there is another who struggles to differentiate between real life and tech life. A balance of both is good.
Sometime I want to take a vacation where I leave all of my gadgets at home. No cell phone, no computer, no ipod, no GPS. Just figure stuff out as you go. Kinda old school, but I think it could be fun!
March 19th, 2009 at 9:56 am
I agree, I think both are happening. I have been able to keep in touch with friends I haven’t seen in years, and good friends of mine who live across the country with the technology we have. It wouldn’t have been possible before cell phones, email, even Facebook. I’ve also been able to connect with people I wouldn’t have otherwise been able to (professionally and otherwise).
At the same time, I think people get so caught up in the technology, they forget take a breath, to look around and live life without having to be on a cell phone, or tweeting every 5 minutes. Not that I’m not guilty of it too. I just think there needs to be a balance.
Thanks for bringing up this topic, interesting to think about…and I love Wall-E! :)
April 14th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
I think we become more removed from the people around us but more connected to those that are farther away. The people far away have become our neighbors.