The aim of my paper is to explore the strongly suggestive environmental degradation shown in the speculative fiction by Gautam Bhatia's "The Wall". The book is set in a fictive, walled location called Sumer. It brings forth a strange, plastic and artificial world with extremely limited natural and social environment by the river named Rasa with its few tributaries; a speaking Garuda bird; Woad Garden; bamboo groove; few foods like rahi, bamboo soup and peanuts; absence of animals; a diminishing democracy, a disgruntled labour force, etc for its very limited citizens slotted as ‘Shoortans,’ ‘Elders,’ ‘Tarafians,’ ‘Golden Youth,’ ‘Select,’ and others who live within the ‘blank wall.’ It is clearly noted that the book has no stark evidence of any technological cause behind the creation of such a Walled place. However, the author’s systematic opening of the book and strong acceptance about man’s over-ambitions with technology, in his various discussions about this speculative book clearly indicates the alarm of an upcoming such world caused by AI, which bolsters the objective of my paper. My paper will enlist and explain the materials behind the physical models which are obtained at the cost of adding carbon footprints to create and keep going this latest technology. The objective of the paper will employ a post-humanist approach which will best befit speculative narrative of the book where my paper will show how the futuristic nature of this fiction intersects with post-humanist’s intention of converting humans into something different than humans and such humans are to solve any problem, all problems. But no such perfection could be achieved yet in human history despite human being’s obsession towards technology from long-drawn times. Rather, newer technologies have also been bringing numerous whims along with their benefits and even go to the extent of the most serious negative impacts like environmental degradation.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. INTRODUCTION
- Setting the Context of New Technologies in the World of The Wall
- 2. DISCUSSION
- Evaluating the characteristics, causes, crafting and consequences of AI
- THE WALL
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper explores the environmental degradation depicted in Gautam Bhatia's speculative fiction, The Wall, focusing on the implied consequences of technology, specifically AI, in shaping a dystopian future. It utilizes a post-humanist approach to analyze the novel's portrayal of a technologically advanced yet environmentally depleted world.
- The environmental consequences of AI development and deployment.
- The intersection of technological advancement and environmental degradation.
- The limitations of technology in solving societal and environmental problems.
- The exploration of post-humanist themes in a speculative fiction context.
- A critical analysis of the societal and environmental implications presented in The Wall.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. INTRODUCTION: This introductory chapter sets the stage by introducing Gautam Bhatia's The Wall (2020), a speculative fiction novel depicting a walled city named Sumer. The dedication of the book to a fictional "first world-builder," Erin, is interpreted as a commentary on the role of technology in world-building. The chapter establishes the novel's setting, a technologically advanced yet resource-scarce environment with limited biodiversity and a dwindling democracy. It highlights the absence of explicit technological descriptions but focuses on the implied consequences of AI's pervasive influence, setting the groundwork for analyzing the technology-induced environmental degradation within the novel's fictional world. The chapter also introduces the post-humanist lens through which the subsequent analysis will be conducted, foreshadowing the examination of humanity's transformation and the pursuit of technological perfection.
2. DISCUSSION: This chapter delves into the characteristics, causes, and consequences of AI, providing a framework for understanding Sumer's environmental predicament. It begins by defining AI and listing its beneficial applications in various fields, including environmental monitoring and conservation. However, the core of the discussion focuses on the negative environmental impact of AI development and deployment. The chapter highlights the substantial carbon footprint associated with training AI models, the extraction of rare earth minerals for hardware production, the energy consumption of data centers, and the generation of e-waste. These points are linked directly to the environmental degradation depicted in The Wall, illustrating how the pursuit of technological advancement leads to resource depletion and ecological damage. The chapter emphasizes the significant energy consumption of data centers and AI models, linking them directly to increased greenhouse gas emissions and water stress. This section acts as a bridge, connecting the theoretical understanding of AI's environmental consequences to the fictional reality portrayed in Bhatia's novel.
THE WALL: This chapter focuses on the narrative of The Wall itself, analyzing the societal and environmental anxieties present within the walled city of Sumer. The chapter discusses the limited resources within Sumer, including food shortages and a dependence on self-pollinating plants due to the absence of pollinating animals. It also explores the political tensions within the city and the rebellion led by Mithila against the ruling class. The themes of rebellion and the longing for a world beyond the confines of Sumer ("smara") are presented as a metaphor for humanity's desire to break free from the constraints and negative consequences of unchecked technological advancement and its impact on the environment. The chapter links the environmental issues within Sumer (food scarcity, limited biodiversity) directly to the broader themes of societal unrest and the pursuit of a sustainable future. The songs and poetic passages within the text, which express yearning for a world beyond the Wall, are analyzed to illustrate the novel's central message about the importance of environmental preservation and balanced technological progress.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
AI, Environmental Degradation, Technology-Induced Environmental Degradation, Speculative Fiction, Post-Humanism, The Wall, Gautam Bhatia, Resource Depletion, Dystopian Fiction, Technological Advancement, Sustainable Future.
Frequently asked questions about "The Wall" Language Preview
What is the primary focus of the "The Wall" language preview?
The language preview provides an overview of an academic analysis focusing on the environmental degradation depicted in Gautam Bhatia's speculative fiction novel, The Wall. It explores the consequences of technology, specifically AI, in shaping a dystopian future.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis of "The Wall"?
The analysis examines the environmental consequences of AI development, the intersection of technological advancement and environmental degradation, the limitations of technology in solving societal problems, post-humanist themes, and the societal and environmental implications presented in the novel.
What does the "Introduction" chapter summary cover?
The introduction sets the context of the analysis by introducing Gautam Bhatia's The Wall and its depiction of a technologically advanced yet resource-scarce environment. It highlights the implied consequences of AI's influence and establishes the post-humanist lens through which the analysis will be conducted.
What does the "Discussion" chapter summary focus on?
The discussion delves into the characteristics, causes, and consequences of AI, particularly its negative environmental impact, such as the carbon footprint of training AI models, the extraction of rare earth minerals, the energy consumption of data centers, and the generation of e-waste. It connects these issues to the environmental degradation depicted in The Wall.
What does the "The Wall" chapter summary analyze?
This section analyzes the narrative of The Wall, focusing on the societal and environmental anxieties within the walled city of Sumer. It discusses limited resources, political tensions, and the longing for a world beyond Sumer, interpreting these themes as metaphors for the consequences of unchecked technological advancement.
What are the keywords associated with this language preview?
The keywords include AI, Environmental Degradation, Technology-Induced Environmental Degradation, Speculative Fiction, Post-Humanism, The Wall, Gautam Bhatia, Resource Depletion, Dystopian Fiction, Technological Advancement, and Sustainable Future.
How does the analysis use a post-humanist approach?
The analysis employs a post-humanist perspective to examine humanity's transformation in the face of technological advancement and the pursuit of technological perfection, as portrayed in The Wall.
What is the significance of the "first world-builder," Erin, in the novel's dedication?
The dedication is interpreted as a commentary on the role of technology in world-building, suggesting a critical perspective on the potential downsides of technology-driven development.
- Quote paper
- Dr. Mumtaz Mazumdar (Author), 2025, Mapping the Implications of Technology-Induced Environmental Degradation in Gautam Bhatia's "The Wall", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1566960
