Werner Herzog on the Jungle vs. Avatar

Started by Taronyu, January 12, 2012, 06:49:35 AM

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Taronyu

http://www.youtube.com/v/3xQyQnXrLb0

So, this is one of my favourite videos on YouTube. And I've been thinking - I think it is that way because it presents an alternative to the belief that nature is somehow the solution to our civilized problems. We see in Avatar a regress to nature - where Eywa, the harmony of nature, is the deus ex machina which makes Jake's inclusion in the Na'vi culture possible when he understands, as well as solving the whole "humans are winning the battle" issue. But maybe that is just a reflection of our desires in civilized society for some sort of simpler harmony, as we are out of balance with our environment (to quote "killed their mother.")

What do you think? I'm not interested in starting a flame war, I just think that maybe Herzog is as equally valid in his opinion as Mo'at.

Irtaviš Ačankif

Yes. I totally agree with it. Using "nature" as a gimmick doesn't work, since humans are also part of nature. In fact, thinking of protecting nature is itself an unnatural thought. Do chimpanzees think of protecting the environment when they stamp on an ant hill? Or do beavers refrain from damming up the entire river because they care about the fish?

The only reason why we haven't killed ourselves off with territorial ambitions is because we are -unnatural-. Based on the survival capabilities of homo sapiens the "natural" thing to do would be to kill off all "bothering" animals and then start a big world war with as many and as powerful as weapons can get. And the best surviving group would be able to conquer the Earth. Duh.

We only need to learn how to be unnatural in more benign way.
Previously Ithisa Kīranem, Uniltìrantokx te Skxawng.

Name from my Sakaš conlang, from Sakasul Ältäbisäl Acarankïp

"First name" is Ačankif, not Eltabiš! In Na'vi, Atsankip.

Toruk Makto

Well, we don't have any natural predators to keep our population in check, so we turn on ourselves. That is pretty much true to nature too.

Lì'fyari leNa'vi 'Rrtamì, vay set 'almong a fra'u zera'u ta ngrrpongu
Na'vi Dictionary: http://files.learnnavi.org/dicts/NaviDictionary.pdf

Kamean

Tse'a ngal ke'ut a krr fra'uti kame.


Irtaviš Ačankif

That's why environmentalism actually requires a ton of technology, like solar panels, etc. The best way to wreck the Earth up is to have everybody live like the Na'vi do. Oh and minus belief in Eywa  ;D

For example, many MANY indigenous tribes on 'Rrta practice slash-burning to clear land for villages etc. What will happen if everybody "goes to nature" and does that?
Previously Ithisa Kīranem, Uniltìrantokx te Skxawng.

Name from my Sakaš conlang, from Sakasul Ältäbisäl Acarankïp

"First name" is Ačankif, not Eltabiš! In Na'vi, Atsankip.

Toruk Makto

Quote from: Uniltìrantokx te Skxawng on January 12, 2012, 06:55:31 PM
That's why environmentalism actually requires a ton of technology, like solar panels, etc. The best way to wreck the Earth up is to have everybody live like the Na'vi do. Oh and minus belief in Eywa  ;D

For example, many MANY indigenous tribes on 'Rrta practice slash-burning to clear land for villages etc. What will happen if everybody "goes to nature" and does that?

I would expect a rapid decline in population, to begin with. Followed by much shorter lifetimes. Balance?


Lì'fyari leNa'vi 'Rrtamì, vay set 'almong a fra'u zera'u ta ngrrpongu
Na'vi Dictionary: http://files.learnnavi.org/dicts/NaviDictionary.pdf