Ikran.

[Tsyal Maktoyu]

This was something that was brought up on the Revolutionist forum, and I thought it would be a good idea to throw it out here, as well.

Why don't we have some Ikran? Now before you all call me crazy, just here me out.

While there are of course no biological one's available (not anymore, at least, maybe if we went back in time a few hundred million years), there are some alternatives that we could possibly use, such as paragliders, ultralights, or hang gliders. We are a "Na'vi" tribe after all, so why not do what they do, and have a set of wings? I remember that there was some sort of debacle with a helicopter earlier in the tribe's history, maybe this would be a decent alternative? In addition to transportation we can use them to:

Here's a link to the Rev thread.
http://revolutionists.aurora-glacialis.de/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=115

[Tsteu'itan]

That would all depend on the location of the tribe.  Hang-gliding is pretty much impossible unless there's a large number of cliffs you can jump off of. 

[Esmond]

When I see cliffs, I think of Hallelujah Mountains. When I think Hallelujah Mountains, I think China. =)

But I'm sure we've all agreed that China is off the list.

[Tsyal Maktoyu]

Yeah, it's a shame, too. China really does have some beautiful lands. Damn bureaucracy.

Though in truth, only the unpowered hang glider needs to take off of an elevated surface. An electrically-powered hang glider (as Aurora suggested on the Rev thread) wouldn't be that hard to imagine, especially if we end up having some form of solar systems, as some have suggested.

Though on a good day a nice hike up a hill to fly an unpowered "Ikran" might not be a bad leisure activity.

[guest2859]

I was on Bing today, and saw a very interesting national park, with stone pillars called the true floating mountains... But, aside that I like it. Just remember to get a cliff to jump off, you need a place to land, something that could kill you or save you.

[Predict]

I have to say the benefits are questionable when you have to climb the cliff before flying back down. Depends how much 'leisure' time we have. I'm not saying it wouldn't be fantastic, although if anything went wrong...

It's this damn taking off bit that really causes us problems.

[Key'ìl Nekxetse]

If we had enough elastic?!

[Esmond]

Elastic!? LOL.

We have to weigh out the effort and time its going to require and the benefits that it'll provide. When we're living primitively, every ounce of energy and every second of time is precious as there are lots else to do.

[Tsyal Maktoyu]

It depends. I've kinda got the same view as Maweya Hufwe, right now. I don't want to go 100% primitive, and wouldn't mind incorporating a few select technologies into the village to make something where we get the best of both worlds. Not totally primitive, but at the same time not super high-tech to the point of destroying the Earth. Something in the middle, something new, that the world hasn't seen yet.

This tends to be one of the few pieces of tech that I consider near and dear to my heart, because by having a way to fly while still being One with nature would help me feel a bit more "Na'vi," so to speak. To fly with the birds, swim with the fish, and tread with the land animals, while still in harmony with nature.

[Predict]

I agree with this also, I am not opposed to any technologies we can create. Aside from computers and metals I would be against importing anything else though. It's easy for people to make technology an enemy when what they are really opposing is its application.

[Keye'ung]

At the end of the day theres a few things we will need to keep from modern life- mobile phones ( with credit!) incase of emergencies and medical supplies are just a couple of the things we really need to keep. But to get them we will need money, therefore need some kind of job.

Back on topic though- I'm an artist, I can't fly and I don't own any of the above listed things but what I can do to make myself happy is design my own Ikran :3 I may even meditate on it so i know I get him/her right ^_^

[Keye'ung]

I agree with this also, I am not opposed to any technologies we can create. Aside from computers and metals I would be against importing anything else though. It's easy for people to make technology an enemy when what they are really opposing is its application.

But at the end of the day, the method and materials used to make such technologies are directly harming what we are aiming to protect- the Earth

[Predict]

Although that damage has to be balanced by the broader impact we might have through such technologies. For emergences we would need a satellite phone and if you wanted to be very safe radios in any hunting parties or similar.

[Keye'ung]

Ah, good point about the radios, I didn't even think of that.

['Itan Atxur]

I would also like to add that we are NOT a Na'vi tribe. This question was put before us a while ago and we pretty much all agreed we are INSPIRED by the Na'vi but must do what is realistic.

At least you're throwing ideas out there though. Keep it up!!

[Predict]

I would also like to add that we are NOT a N**** tribe. This question was put before us a while ago and we pretty much all agreed we are INSPIRED by the N**** but must do what is realistic.

Censored  .

[Esmond]

The first time I saw them I thought they were referring to African-Americans lol.

Anyway, good point 'Itan, well said.

[Tsyal Maktoyu]

I would also like to add that we are NOT a Na'vi tribe. This question was put before us a while ago and we pretty much all agreed we are INSPIRED by the Na'vi but must do what is realistic.

At least you're throwing ideas out there though. Keep it up!!

Which is why I put, "so to speak." A way to explore and work in harmony with the Earth inspired by the Na'vi. Hang gliders would allow us to become One with the sky in a similar way the Na'vi are with their Ikran. Consider it an Ikran-inspired alternative.

Is the tribesman with the helicopter still here?

[Esmond]

Not sure but even he was, the chopper would mostly be used only int times of emergency or when we need to lift a lot of stuff.

I thought we need to attend classes in order to know how to use hang gliders?

[Predict]

A helicopter would be seriously impractical, what with the room to land it, fuel, and tools and parts for maintenance. In emergencies we would probably have to rely on local services (if any) or a 4x4 to get people out.

Lessons would be a good idea, not really a high priority though.