To Dystopia and Beyond. Escape from the Techno-Economic Paradigm with Wall-E

Animated movies produced a series of features able to cast a light on aspects of human nature with no less depth than the most praised live-action masterpieces. The ninth feature film by Pixar Animation Studios, Wall-E (Stanton, 2008) among the animated films of the new century is one of those most capable of communicating – after gaining the children’s attention – with the adult spectator. More precisely, it is a successful experiment in applying the thematic categories typical of sociological and philosophical Science Fiction to the script of a mainstream cartoon, thus aimed at the general audience, especially families. An experiment that can be said to be unique. The dystopian scenario shown by the movie seems to match the extreme result of some trends in today’s society. Indeed, the leading character must face a society with two main characteristics: national States have been replaced by a multinational and the citizens’ choices about each aspect of life delegated to an artificial intelligence. The paper intends to test the expendability of the movie within today’s ethical debate and relating to some contemporary authors’ thought, as well as classic ethical-anthropological trends. By re-examining it, it aims to show how the theme of Wall-E strikes a universal chord, beyond the historical or sociological context, about the condition and the nature of the human being in any time.