I used to become a bit sad when I thought about how I’d never go to Hogwarts or use an invisibility cloak or send a piece of mail via owl or slug down a butterbeer with The Chosen One, and I admit I belong to a Facebook group called “I Have Trouble Dealing With The Fact That Edward Cullen Is *Fictional*”, so when I read the headline for the recent CNN article Audiences Experience ‘Avatar’ Blues, I wasn’t all that surprised.
I soon discovered, though, that the title is a bit misleading. After diving into the article, it seems these viewers are a step or two above (or, below?) just having the blues or wishing they could experience the fantasy world. Some Avatar viewers, including those who use various Avatar-related forums, “have expressed feelings of disgust with the human race and disengagement with reality,” are experiencing something similar to “separation anxiety” when the two-and-a-half hour movie ends, and are quoted as stating they’ve become “depressed” and have “contemplated suicide.”
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I think the depression stems much more from the fact that Avatar is quite an accurate depiction of reality and how the human race is treating its own planet.
Take the respect the “uncivilised” natives give to all life regardless of its size or apparent importance to the world.
Arguably, Avatar also documents a very similar story to how native americans were treated evilly by those that were essentially european immigrants. Thinking about it, it’s very similar to the story of Pocahontas.
I would also say animals are arguably more intelligent than us “intelligent” beings, as they learn to adapt and live with what they’ve got. Whereas humans feel the need to change their environment if they’re not happy with it, and always want more of it.
Hopefully people can put the depressive feelings of how materialistic our society is (something that has played on my mind for years) and start making a change so we treat the world environment and even ourselves with more respect.
@ BipolarBearBlog – “Hopefully people can put the depressive feelings of how materialistic our society is (something that has played on my mind for years) and start making a change so we treat the world environment and even ourselves with more respect.”
Hear, hear!
Andrew Mathias
8:15 pm on
January 14th, 2010I came upon the thought that I was depressed with what the human race has done to our Earth. I didn’t leave home for quite some time, but also I was on a jumpy emotional time after seeing Avatar five times. Every time I saw this movie I was happier to be their because I felt more connected. After a while of depression and angry at the world, it became clear to me when I was driving home from work. That in this world you can make anything like Pandora.
I ride a motorcycle, and I travel across the country with it. And one day I thought to myself, wow my motorcycle is like the banshee. I feel its engine (heartbeat) and I tell it what to do (to bend the curves with bank of the bike and feeling the pavement and knowing its limits), sometimes engines would have a mind of their own but it took me out of this depression and found a solution that made me happy that I could be a warrior on a motorcycle as Jake is on his banshee. Seeing past the issue of depression is something everyone has to do. If have you have something that is very passionate to you take it to another dimension. Help with community or change your life style to help the Earth survive.
I made a difference in my life I stopped driving my vehicle ( unless I need it) and I ride a bicycle to work. Im helping the environment, also my house is energy efficient all the electricity is off when I’m gone so there is no harmful carbons. Be part of nature go for a hike or a bike ride through a preserve so you can be with nature, let your mind go free.
@ Andrew – I really like your “take it to another dimension” idea. Also, your comment made me think about how oftentimes, people (not everyone, but some) fail to see the good and the beauty surrounding them. The undesirable situations – the poverty and polluted environment and abuse and all the bad things – block people’s views of what’s good. Prevents them from being able to think beyond what’s bad or what’s lacking. Don’t get me wrong – the bad things are bad and obviously have to be addressed; however, if we don’t stop and appreciate the good, how can we ever have any peace in our minds? Or hearts?
What an inspiring story and I hope it strikes a chord with others, as well. Thank you so much for sharing it.
Sonia
3:36 am on
January 16th, 2010I felt the same way in the Seventies about Star Wars and the fact that I would never experience what Princess Leia did. Till I realised that neither did Carrie Fisher.
Michael
9:31 am on
January 20th, 2010I was emotionally stirred after watching Avatar, and to read and hear what the media have portrayed us to be is disappointing and upsetting. They lack the understanding in this situation. You can’t expect everyone to experience the same feeling after watching a movie, especially with Avatar, but you also shouldn’t criticize people based on their feelings, because that is what we cannot control, instead for our deeds.
Are the human beings in the movie of avatar remodeled ?
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