Avatar!

I had seen Avatar shortly after it came out, and then a second time in 3D. As awesome as 3D is, that movie carried such an awesome message in 2D. After the movie I couldn't help but be awe inspired at how well put together the movie was in regards to humans (Americans...North Americans..) effects on nature and how we need to become a little bit more 'biocentric'. On top of the environmental message, James Cameron definitely made a point that our invasive tendencies are terrifying and that we need to put ourselves in the shoes of invaded countries. Rewind 200 years or so when North America was being settled and the Native Americans were being pushed away, further inland away from their homes. Spiritual areas were probably lost to the European settlers, not to mention the assimilation practises that followed.

(Image taken Feb 1-2010 from http://collider.com/2009/12/09/6-movie-clips-from-james-camerons-avatar/)

Like what we discussed in class, the deep connection with nature was a big part of the Na'vi culture, as well as the whole planet of Pandora. Though in reality we wouldn't go as far as physically attaching ourselves to nature, but the message is very close. We probably should find a connection with nature to be able to understand the need for conservation in order to sustain ourselves and our descendants on this planet. The need to continually search for oil resources, pushing higher and higher into our Arctic, is proof that we will stop at nothing for money. Oil is our "Unobtainium", and the Arctic (or any other precious landscape) is our sacred tree that we must protect to maintain our way of life the way we know it. We need to realize how the changes in our climate and nature are going to affect us before it's too late and we have been "invaded" by climate change to the point of no return.