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Anti-Technology Themes in James Cameron's Avatar

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the these-are-a-few-of-my-favorite-things dept.

ThousandStars writes "'The anti-technological aspect [in James Cameron's Avatar] is strange because the movie is among most technically sophisticated ever: it uses a crazy 2D and 3D camera, harnesses the most advanced computer animation techniques imaginable, and has apparently improved the state-of-the-art when it comes to cinema. But Avatar’s story argues that technology is bad. Humans destroyed their home world through environmental disaster and use military might to annihilate the locals and steal their resources.' The question is two-fold: why have a technically sophisticated, anti-technical movie, and why are we drawn to it? Part of the answer lies in Neal Stephenson's Turn On, Tune In, Veg Out."

10 of 870 comments (clear)

  1. Subject by Legion303 · · Score: 2, Funny

    "harnesses the most advanced computer animation techniques imaginable"

    Really? Because all I get from the trailers is that it's an updated version of The Smurfs.

  2. Dances With Smurfs. by SharpFang · · Score: 5, Funny

    Dances With Smurfs. That's what it was.

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    45 5F E1 04 22 CA 29 C4 93 3F 95 05 2B 79 2A B2
    1. Re:Dances With Smurfs. by AP31R0N · · Score: 5, Funny

      No, it was Dances with Thundercats.

      Thundercats are badass; Smurfs are decidedly not.

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      Utilizing the synergization of benchmark e-solutions to pre-workaround action items!
  3. Re:See, technology is like beer. by Nick+Number · · Score: 4, Funny

    So you're saying Skynet will run on Rickards Red?

    Rickard was a deplicant.

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    Promote proofreading. Don't mod up sloppy posts.
  4. Re:It should be noted by moonbender · · Score: 3, Funny

    Yes, isn't it obvious? Colorful tank? Check. Black tube thingy? Check. Odd wires? Yep. Carrying belts? Yes! Clearly a plant.

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    Switch back to Slashdot's D1 system.
  5. Re:Who said it was anti-technology? by Wahakalaka · · Score: 5, Funny

    I for one am in favor of using the military to solve all conflicts, and destroying all of nature. Anyone that disagrees is a dirty hippie. There's no middle ground here.

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    The truth is somewhere in the middle.
  6. Re:The Anti-American... by geminidomino · · Score: 1, Funny

    Don't waste your money, go see Sherlock Holmes

    Make up your fucking mind.

  7. James Cameron making anti-technology movie? by alcmaeon · · Score: 3, Funny

    You mean the same guy who bought us such pro-technology, pro-big government, pro-big business block-busters as Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Aliens, The Abyss, Titanic, and The Dark Angel Series has now gone over to the dark side?

    Say it isn't so!

  8. Re:Crap by Gerafix · · Score: 4, Funny

    Gingerbread corrupts, absolute gingerbread corrupts absolutely.

  9. Re:Who said it was anti-technology? by Bigjeff5 · · Score: 2, Funny

    What's that wooshing sound I hear?

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    Security is mostly a superstition... Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. - Helen Keller