Perfection on Pandora

[Ximphron]

Was anyone else somewhat annoyed by the fact that everything on Pandora was made to be perfect and idealized? It just seems like the world created is too flawless.

I could mention many things, but lets just look at the Na'vi:
Stronger, faster, hardier, taller, more "in tune with nature", egalitarian, stable, pretty colored, can domesticate without hardly trying, etc.
Can't Argue with Elves - Television Tropes & Idioms

I just think the differences should be more dynamic rather than a giant "Pandora is Better" sticker. It would have made the world more believable, for me anyway.

Just from someone who has a fascination with cultures and environments. There is so much beauty and ingenuity in our own environment and cultures, and talking to people I wonder if some have become blind to that.

[_Omaticaya_]

I believe most people, including me, we're fascinated, and fell in love with Pandora and the Na'vi, because through Avatar, we saw that world we dream of <3, and wish to become reality everyday on our own planet... That kind of lifestyle, and that beautiful connection to nature, but on our own Earth, which has the same exact potential to be that beautiful magical home as Pandora is... But since it's a utopy... We, or atleast I, find refuge on Pandora, that beautiful place where life seems so much easier and straightforward, and feel like I we're an Omaticaya myself, in the wrong place... altough i know it's a sweet dream and sooner or later, usually sooner, I have to wake up. So in my opinion, perfection is not impossible, and Avatar's Pandora and the Omaticaya are pretty close to that 'perfection', which I rather call 'Harmony' though, between the people, with their faith, with the environment.

[tm20]

depends on what you consider a flaw. some people might say that the fact that anything can kill you is a flaw. some people might say that they dont have roads and schools is a flaw. even the Na'vi have their own flaws like jealousy (Tsu'tey?) just remember earth used to be like Pandora until humans began to develop their society and turned it into what it is today.

[Ximphron]

@tm20
Pandora isn't perfect, its just too perfect. I have seen many people get some sort of inferiority complex with Avatar, believing that humanity and earth are simply inferior and worse than Pandora and the Na'vi. I think I understand why, because everything is bigger and stronger, more colorful and scenic, and life there is easier, taking the parts of earth we find most impressive and putting them in one place. I have seen people fall down that path instead of seeing the true meaning behind Avatar.


@_Omaticaya_
I understand the desire to live a simpler life. I lived a primitive, simple lifestyle for a while. It was probably the happiest time of my life, but you also must realize that such a life isn't easier. I too would prefer to live free of all these complications and unnecessary "conveniences". I love the primitive way of life. But the Na'vi portray it as more idyllic than it actually is.

[DeMouse]

One logical explanation is the Eywa has tampered with genetics in order to MAKE it perfect. Which raises ethical issues for me and takes alot of the shine out of the "perfection" as it was enforced, not earned.

From my perspective that sort of life is the exact opposite of how I would choose to live so I don't feel it is such an issue. For me perfection would be alot closer to The Culture.

The Culture - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

But I think I wouldn't be completely satisfied with even that unless my species had earned it on its own terms instead of having it imposed anyway.

[_Omaticaya_]

@_Omaticaya_
I understand the desire to live a simpler life. I lived a primitive, simple lifestyle for a while. It was probably the happiest time of my life, but you also must realize that such a life isn't easier. I too would prefer to live free of all these complications and unnecessary "conveniences". I love the primitive way of life. But the Na'vi portray it as more idyllic than it actually is.

Oel Ngati Kameie. Altough I'll still believe that if you are used to that life, it may become quite idyllic once you're totally in sync with your environment while in my life right now, I never seem to get in sync unless I have paper in my wallet and a 'qualification' (other piece of paper...)

[_Omaticaya_]

all these complications and unnecessary "conveniences". I love the primitive way of life.

By the way, I ADORE this^ One of the best things I've ever read

[Ja'k Dawsiin]

One logical explanation is the Eywa has tampered with genetics.

'tampered' is such a negative term and does not apply to a benevolent deity who merely maintains the balance of life/nature,not quasi-ethical genetic modification attempts like the skypeople did.

[DeMouse]

'tampered' is such a negative term and does not apply to a benevolent deity who merely maintains the balance of life/nature,not quasi-ethical genetic modification attempts like the skypeople did.

Yes tampered is a negative term, used intentionally.

If it is true then Eywa has messed with the natural process for species formation. I'm all for species improving themselves with genetic alteration by their own choice once they have developed the ability to do so. But I don't like the idea of messing with somone's genetics without their knowledge and approval.

and Eywa is only a diety in the lossest application of the word. planet-sized organic supercomputer maybe. Diety? Not in my opinion.

[Ximphron]

Some of this stuff still confuses and bug me. I get the feeling that Cameron wanted to make everything on Pandora bigger and stronger. But I don't understand why.
The Na'vi are tall. That makes sense, as it is low gravity.
But then they have stronger bones, muscles, better senses, faster learning, longer lifespan, better night vision, so on.
The animals are also all stronger, can run 90 miles an hour, are covered in armor, have better senses than earth ones...
The plants are all tougher...
What are the reasons for any of these things? Especially in a regulated ecosystem where I would guess competition on an earthly scale would not exist.
I mean, obviously they had to fight RDA somehow in the film but making ever creature have superior abilities to its earth equivalent does not really make a believable world to me.

Although I suppose Pandoran animals and Na'vi would have a ridiculously hard time living on Earth, what with higher gravity, thin air, colder climate, dryness and greater food scarcity, completely dark nights, compact and tangled rainforests, etc.