Also: I opened google reader for the first time in literally years just now. It instantly gave me a flashback to when I used to read blogs all the time and got to know guys like you and Joe Crawford purely through our sites.

Cheers and greetings from Medellín! Happy New Year!

I think your assessment of the foreign leadership problem is astute. SPOILER ALERT! So many of the worst elements of the movie stemmed from the forced nature of Jake’s rise to power within the Na’vi world, and I think in reality his behavior would have had to be much more manipulative to achieve what he did. He’s simply given religiously-scoped luck as an explanation, which doesn’t satisfy me at all (especially compared to the failure of the scientists who actually listen to the na’vi).

Also, SPOILER ALERT am I the only person who thinks that his solution upon taking power was not only strange but bewilderingly dangerous and militaristic in nature? Obviously everything turns out alright at the end of the movie, but the decision to rally every adult Na’vi (i.e. ‘other tribes’) into one battle converts an instance of forced displacement into a recipe for genocide. If it weren’t for the literally unbelievable effectiveness of the forces he leads in the final battle they could easily have all been killed by the Earthling forces. His plan is stupid and exactly what I might expect from the soldier we meet at the start of the movie. Yes, he’s been impressed by the beauty of “Pandora”, but he hasn’t actually changed as a person. He brought his baggage with him, and inspires the na’vi to an act of massive violence and self-endangerment. I mean, the ending was pretty and all, but what happens when the Earthlings return? What will they bring next time, now that they can honestly claim the Na’vi declared war on them?

The movie was epic, creative as hell and beautiful. The end of the second act made me cry, it was a touching story of the damage humanity does to ‘the other’ in the name of greed. The end of the movie just got violent and vengeful and unrealistic. I don’t know what would have been better though, its hard to imagine these things ending any other way without the spectre of sequels to make you feel better.

Also: Oso IS Jake Sully. It’s freaky dude.

Couldn’t agree more. What about us “people of color” who carry western passports? I find it a little…patronizing?…to assume that only white people carry the responsibility of western imperialism. I mean, the US is fighting wars in my name too.

“Rather than giving up on our own communities to attempt to lead others – especially those we treat as “marginalized” – I believe that we can be most effective by combining local political change with global discussion toward a shared vision and common objectives.”

Again, I totally agree. Maybe it’s because I’m Catholic, but I really don’t like this whole idea of guilt. Guilt seems intrinsically self-centered, and I’m not sure what purpose it really serves. Why not focus on taking responsibility for what’s done in your name and trying to fix it? How about owning the mistakes and working from the inside to make change rather than, for example, claiming you’re Canadian when you travel? Or wearing a kaffiyeh around your neck?

Anyway, great post. It would make me want to go see Avatar but you kinda ruined the ending for me.

Yeah, I feel Cameron could have been more creative than the stereotypical storylines, but I did like the greater message of how our technological advances and disrespect of nature can cause disconnection and ultimately our ruin. But, I guess that’s not so original either. Overall, I thought it was a pretty cool movie experience.

As far as the “Avatar Fantasy” goes… if one is in a position to help, then why shouldn’t they, right? But I think it’s a very personal choice how one goes about it, where they go about it, and why. The sharing that takes place in this sort of activity goes beyond tolerance and into understanding. And that’s ultimately where we all want to get to, I hope. Maybe that’s the “I see you.”

I wanted to say that in Spain we have a good “example of Pandora”: Catalonia. Catalonia has a strong nationalist political movement leaded by Jose Montilla and other politicians. I believe in cosmopolitanism (good wikipedia entry to read, by the way). I lived for one year in Catalonia and have seen how the relationship between catalan people and spanish people living in Catalonia is getting worse lately (above all after the economical crisis in 2008). Our second “Pandora” is Basques Land, which has sadly arrived to extremes of violence (bomb attacks, and car bombs, mainly).

We have other examples of “disagreements” between communities around the globe: USA-Afghanistan/Iran, China- Hong Kong, Canada-Quebec, Israel-Palestine, etc… Of course each of them is unique and there are many differences between them… But, there is a thing in common: Smaller communities that say are being “oppressed” by bigger communities. But, who is the good? Is the small or the big community?

Well, I think there is no totally “good” or totally “bad” community and the point is that they both should resolve their differences without violence (without exceptions). Unify is better than separate. Understanding and working together is better than isolation and ignorance. Peace is better than war. All these sound very logical, but, Why do people tend to separate themselves and make wars, instead of understand each other and live in peace?(well, I should say that there are exceptions like Berlin, Germany).

There are many reasons, like race, language, religious or cultural differences, however, I think that the main reason is always money (or some kind of privilege). It’s intrinsic to humans, written in our DNA code. Something like: “GGATAGGTCTGAGCTAGC”,which translated into plain human english language means: Survive. We always need more and more money (or “privileges”) in other to survive (or “better surviving”).

I think it’s almost impossible to prevent disagreements between communities, because greed is intrinsic to human nature, which always look for its own benefit in order to survive, but , these disagreements must be resolve without wars or acts of violence (always).

They should be resolved talking, like in Global Voices or Rising Voices

You are doing a great job, Mr. Sasaki.