Uploaded November 2017 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Pixar’s Wall-E is a masterpiece of animated filmmaking about two adorable robots falling in love, though I’d argue it also serves as an excellent example of sociological storytelling. Social systems are one of the most important, and most misunderstood, concepts in my work on media and masculinity. So in this video essay I use Wall-E's Axiom star liner (and the board game Monopoly) to illustrate how social systems operate in our culture.
PATREON
Support this project on Patreon:
patreon.com/popdetective
PAYPAL
Make a one-time donation via PayPal:
paypal.me/popdetective
WISHLIST
Send research materials for video essays:
amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/VPZW4GU512ON?ref_=wl_share
LINKS
• Watch Allan G Johnson explain social systems using Monopoly:
youtube.com/watch?v=4rxL3ik9sJA
• On why systems of privilege aren't just people by Allan G Johnson
agjohnson.us/glad/arent-systems-just-people
RECOMMENDED BOOKS
• The Forest and the Trees: Sociology as Life, Practice, and Promise
amazon.com/Forest-Trees-Sociology-Practice-Promise/dp/1439911878
• The Gender Knot: Unraveling Our Patriarchal Legacy
amazon.com/Gender-Knot-Unraveling-Patriarchal-Legacy/dp/1439911843
• The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love
amazon.com/Will-Change-Men-Masculinity-Love/dp/0743456084
FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT:
http://popculturedetective.agency/2017/wall-e-as-sociological-storytelling
COMMENTS
YouTube comments are held for approval due to harassment of this channel. If you would like to participate in constructive online conversations about this video, please share it on your social media networks. When videos get popular it's not always possible to short through every comment but I do the best I can.
FAIR USE
All multimedia clips included in this video constitute a 'fair use' of any copyrighted material as provided for in Section 107 of U.S. Copyright law, which allows for criticism, comment and scholarship. Learn more about fair use with this awesome app by New Media Rights! newmediarights.org/fairuse
CREDITS
Writer/Producer: Jonathan McIntosh
Motion Graphics: Jonathan McIntosh
Logo Design: Justin McIntosh
Outro music: Jonathan Mann
patreon.com/jonathanmann
TRANSLATIONS
Help us caption and translate this video here:
amara.org/v/cMiH
Pixar’s Wall-E is a masterpiece of animated filmmaking about two adorable robots falling in love, though I’d argue it also serves as an excellent example of sociological storytelling. Social systems are one of the most important, and most misunderstood, concepts in my work on media and masculinity. So in this video essay I use Wall-E's Axiom star liner (and the board game Monopoly) to illustrate how social systems operate in our culture.
PATREON
Support this project on Patreon:
patreon.com/popdetective
PAYPAL
Make a one-time donation via PayPal:
paypal.me/popdetective
WISHLIST
Send research materials for video essays:
amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/VPZW4GU512ON?ref_=wl_share
LINKS
• Watch Allan G Johnson explain social systems using Monopoly:
youtube.com/watch?v=4rxL3ik9sJA
• On why systems of privilege aren't just people by Allan G Johnson
agjohnson.us/glad/arent-systems-just-people
RECOMMENDED BOOKS
• The Forest and the Trees: Sociology as Life, Practice, and Promise
amazon.com/Forest-Trees-Sociology-Practice-Promise/dp/1439911878
• The Gender Knot: Unraveling Our Patriarchal Legacy
amazon.com/Gender-Knot-Unraveling-Patriarchal-Legacy/dp/1439911843
• The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love
amazon.com/Will-Change-Men-Masculinity-Love/dp/0743456084
FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT:
http://popculturedetective.agency/2017/wall-e-as-sociological-storytelling
COMMENTS
YouTube comments are held for approval due to harassment of this channel. If you would like to participate in constructive online conversations about this video, please share it on your social media networks. When videos get popular it's not always possible to short through every comment but I do the best I can.
FAIR USE
All multimedia clips included in this video constitute a 'fair use' of any copyrighted material as provided for in Section 107 of U.S. Copyright law, which allows for criticism, comment and scholarship. Learn more about fair use with this awesome app by New Media Rights! newmediarights.org/fairuse
CREDITS
Writer/Producer: Jonathan McIntosh
Motion Graphics: Jonathan McIntosh
Logo Design: Justin McIntosh
Outro music: Jonathan Mann
patreon.com/jonathanmann
TRANSLATIONS
Help us caption and translate this video here:
amara.org/v/cMiH
