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Rousseau redux
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Jet Foncannon
Dec 19, 2009, 5:29:05 PM12/19/09
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I am always amused at the hold that Rousseauian idealism has on the
human imagination--- and on its attendant ironies. Anyone who has seen
the astonishing fim "Avatar," and has responded to its appeal to the
myth of the noble savage should reflect on the fact that the film was
created by utilizing all the immense resources of the computer age. The
awards the film gleans will be bestowed amid the glamor of stretch
limousines , tv cameras, glamorous dresses and tuxedos, and klieg
lights. The Na'vi would be disgusted at the display.
human imagination--- and on its attendant ironies. Anyone who has seen
the astonishing fim "Avatar," and has responded to its appeal to the
myth of the noble savage should reflect on the fact that the film was
created by utilizing all the immense resources of the computer age. The
awards the film gleans will be bestowed amid the glamor of stretch
limousines , tv cameras, glamorous dresses and tuxedos, and klieg
lights. The Na'vi would be disgusted at the display.
ric carter
Dec 19, 2009, 5:41:41 PM12/19/09
to
> Rousseau redux
The "Noble Savage" meme is quite a fantasy. I recall (from Marvin
Harris anthro texts?) that violence is/was a leading cause of death in
pre-civilized societies -- i.e., noble savages tend to slaughter each
other, as evidenced by traumatized remains. Ah yes, 'primitive' life
is/was short, nasty, and British, I mean brutish. RIGHT NOW is the best
time to be alive. Oy. (The optimist thinks this is the best of all
possible worlds, and the pessimist fears that they are right.)
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