AVATAR: my thoughts.

"avatar was something amazing- it made me wish for so much more. i want to fly on colored dragons and i want to put an end to war. sadly this will never happen, but i'm still hopeful for that dragon...."

Avatar really was something amazing. Visually, conceptually....amazing. The score is fantastic, the technological aspects inspiring, the acting well done, the scenery and imagination behind it, exceptional. 3-D didn't add much in my book, but that is for another discussion. I don't want to delve into the technology or analyze the film, all of it is worth seeing for yourself. Instead, I want to mention some of the thoughts and questions that went through my head, during and after the film.

MULTIVERSE THEORY

It was incredible the amount of imagination that went into every detail of creating this made-up world of Pandora. The language, the visual appeal, the creatures, the Omaticayan people...and it made me revisit a topic that lately I have been doing a lot of research and thinking on: cosmology and the creation of our Universe, as well as the possibility (and probability) of the existence of a multiverse. Even parallel universes, co-existing in other dimensions. It really seems highly improbable (and fairly naive to think) that we are the only 'creatures' in existence, and that our Universe is the only one out there. "We" as a human species try to tie down our knowledge based on tangible, scientific evidence, except when it comes to the idea of religion, which we can only base solely on faith. Yet anything other than "our religion's explanation" is pushed aside as impossible, unprovable. Why can't we be just as 'sure' of the existence of other alien races and multi-dimensions and base it on faith? The human race started savage and less-knowledgeable and look where we are today. James Cameron came up with the idea for Avatar in the late 90s, but decided not to pursue filming until the technology was perfected enough to truly showcase his vision. Here we are, 10 years later, having "perfected (however, I use that term loosely)" that technology. Even as the economy crashes, and we still "thrive (if you will allow me that word)" on war, every day we, as a human race are learning, expanding our knowledge of the universe, inventing new technologies, getting closer to curing diseases, etc. I would like to believe and have FAITH that in the next few decades we will develop the ability to see and understand beyond what we currently know, and hopefully be able to find and prove the existence of these other worlds, worlds/dimensions/universes/races that I know must be out there. We can't be so egotistical to think that they aren't.

WAR

During the final fight scene, as Neytiri's looks around, we see through her eyes the pain and suffering, on both sides, that is occurring because of this war. While continuing to watch and feel for both sides, a thought ran through my head briefly and I filed it away to think on at a later moment, which, in turn, caused me to revisit it immediately. I sat there, watching, thinking to myself- here I am watching this movie with my 3D glasses, next to my brother, with my energy drink in the cupholder, and somewhere, across the ocean, at this very moment, someone's brother/sister/friend/mother/father/husband/lover is fighting a war. I'm not the most politically active person on the planet, i'll admit it. At that very moment though, I took the moment to recognize the fact that there are those out there RIGHT NOW dodging bullets, firing a gun, losing their life, in a war that you may or may not support (but always support our troops, no matter your opinion on the war). But we don't think about it, and I was ready to file that thought away until after the movie, which was essentially the very point I was making. We file away the negative to think about at a later, more convenient time. Of course, we shouldn't be consumed with negativity, that isn't the point of life, that isn't our purpose. Some people are not as fortunate as I am, I know this. Some people are FORCED to live in a life constantly surrounded by pain and suffering and negativity. I haven't discovered the meaning of life, or why some people suffer more than others. (*** side note to follow) Life is about balance. Some people choose to dedicate their lives to end suffering in whatever way they can. I believe its about all doing our part, no matter how seemingly small or insignificant. We aren't all on the same intellectual plane, we can't all cure cancer. But we can all raise awareness, we can all take a moment out of our lives to acknowledge others that are doing what they can. We can just stop to make sure we are aware of how lucky we truly are.

***SIDE NOTE-

This reminds me of a conversation I was having with my mom the other day regarding reincarnation. The Eastern theory of reincarnation is not as cut and dry to understand when it comes to the idea of a 'soul.' They don't believe the 'soul' retains any form of personality, it is more of an abstract concept involving karma. To my understanding (please feel free to correct me if I have misinterpreted it..), as best as I can explain it, they believe in the 'reincarnation of karma.' Which, for the purposes of this side note, might be a viable explanation as to why some people suffer more than others. Their "past life" was one of evil or negativity that karma recycled into punishment for their "current life."

ONE CAN DREAM

One last note- yes, go see Avatar. Yes, it made me want to have a glass of wine and discuss string theory and cosmology with someone again. Yes, it made me want to do something about suffering, and acknowledge the men and women giving their lives to the war we are currently engaged in. But damnit, most of all, it made me want my own colorful flying dragon-like creature. Fuck, I want to fly.

x

jack N box

lucid dreaming

stay tuned for a blog on lucid dreaming in the next day.....

until then:

http://www.dreamviews.com/index.php

lincoln and kennedy. parallel lives?

came upon this somewhere...

-Abraham Lincoln was elected to congress in 1846.
-John F. Kennedy was elected to congress in 1946.
-Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860.
-John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960.
-Both were politically concerned with civil rights.
-Both first ladies were widowed while living in the white house.
-Both Presidents were shot on a Friday.
-Both Presidents were shot in the head.
-Both were assassinated by Southerners.
-Both were succeeded by Southerners named Johnson.
-Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln, was born in 1808.
-Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908.
-John Wilkes Boothe, who assassinated Lincoln, was born in 1839.
-Lee Harvey Oswald, who assassinated Kennedy, was born in 1939.
-Both assassins were known by their full three names.
-Both names are composed of 15 letters.
-Lincoln was shot in a theatre named "Ford."
-Kennedy was shot in a car known as the "Lincoln" made by "Ford."
-Lincoln was shot in a theatre and his assassin hid in a warehouse.
-Kennedy was shot from a warehouse and his assassin hid in a theatre.
-Booth and Oswald were both assassinated before their trials.
-A week before Lincoln was shot, he was in Monroe, Maryland.
-A week before Kennedy was shot, he was with Marilyn Monroe.

"I'm not jealous."

I’m sure it’s happened to you, it’s happened to all of us. You’ve lost your job, your lover, a friend, been passed over for a promotion, or didn’t get that role. Then someone comes along, either the one who has “stolen” this elusive happiness from you, or someone connected to them- and they rub it in your face. At least, this is how we perceive it during the “mourning” period. A direct attack on us- On our abilities, our intelligence, our beauty, our self worth. How rude. When this occurs the first thing that goes through most people’s minds (right after, “I’ll kill a bitch….”) is something along the lines of “show no weakness! I can’t let them know I’m jealous…or hurt…or upset at all.” It is human nature to have weakness, but it is also human nature to not want to show it. So what do we do? We pretend to be better off than we are. We lie. We do everything we can to say “I’m not jealous.” The funny part is, we all do it, so it isn’t as if we are getting away with anything. In the end, the mere act of responding to whatever passing comment (or in this day and age, “posting” on a social networking site…) proves to the other party that we are in fact jealous, or hurt, or upset at all. However, we are human- we care, we have weakness, and we try our damnedest not to show it. So who is going to fault us for this? No one. We know when someone is trying to make us jealous, just as know when we are trying to make someone else jealous. Sometimes it feels good to win. We also know when we have hurt someone, just as they know when they have hurt us. So there is no shame in pretending to be better off than we are. No shame in only discussing the “positive, happy” aspects of our lives through the pain. “Proving” our strength to the other party, in fact, assists us in proving our strength to ourselves. In the end, we are all stronger than we think we are.

jack N box

In Guantanamo

worth watching. click title.


the most interesting part, however, is the the fact that there are more things they 'can't' film than they can. I understand not allowing the locking mechanisms to be photographed or filmed, maybe even the full security measures they take. But so much of this is clearly shown for propoganda's sake. Not by the filmmaker, he filmed what he was given, but by the government. Because of course, all detainees are given food, drink, and movies to watch while they are being interrogated. Clearly there is no and never was ANY inhumane treatment of terrorists at Guantanamo Bay. Although...side note, maybe this really IS the truth. Might explain how Osama bin Laden has eluded us for so long.

FAIL.

jack N box

barney stinson, wise man.

how do we get ourselves out of a rut? how do we beat depression? well, there are too many people working on that magic pill for happiness, but if you aren't a fan of popping pharmaceuticals, you simply much choose to be stronger than you think you are.

In the words of barney stinson (how i met your mother),
"Whenever i’m sad, i just stop being sad and start being awesome. True story."

Sure, this is easier said than done, but life is not about the end result, it's about the journey along the way. So is the road to happiness. If you wake up every day and decide to be stronger than you think you are, stronger than the sadness, stronger than your problems, stronger than a failed friendship, relationship, job, etc, eventually, you will be.

Wake up every day and decide to do ONE thing that makes you happy. Sure you can do more than one, but make a decision to do one thing that makes you happy, or one thing that will better yourself. Eventually the chips will fall into place. Just believe in yourself, and believe that you have he ability to make your own happiness. Maybe I sound like a new-wave guru, but all you can do is be stronger than you think you are. Just wake up and start being awesome.

jack N box

regret is OK by me.

I used to be among those that didn't believe in regret. REGRET IS A WASTE, is what I would say. For instance, one of my biggest "regrets" and "mistakes" was leaving Sarah Lawrence to transfer to, ahem, USC. "I should have never left, SLC was the place for me." But I would never be where I am today if I hadn't left. Granted, I'm not necessarily "anywhere" right now, kind of in between places and people, relationships and happiness...but regardless, I wouldn't give up the last few years. The people I've met and the experiences I've had were, and are, for the most part, amazing. Therefore, in the past I would say "regret is a waste." But what if it's not? Regret is a learning tool. Regret makes us question our decisions, which is a good thing, because sometimes our decisions are, lets face it, not the best choice. You can't always turn back, but sometimes you can. If you haven't let enough time pass, or if you DO let enough time pass- mistakes can be righted, decisions unturned. For those decisions that can't be changed, regret is a way of learning from our mistakes. Regret is not a bad thing, regret is not a waste. Regret is a learning tool and it should be embraced. Just remember, regret is not the same thing as wallowing. Wallowing in despair of our mistakes, refusing to move on, or change what we are unhappy with, IS A WASTE. So go forth, be amazing, learn from your mistakes and know that it is never too late to change or go back. Maybe the same path will not be available, and certain things are bound to be slightly different, but embrace it. The big important things in life are family, friends and love. And any 'regrets' pertaining to those people in your life can always be righted (save for timely or untimely death getting in the way). So decide who's important to you, know that you can right the wrongs in your relationships, and do it before it IS too late. Learn from your regret.

jackNbox

reincarnation: an explanation for the inequality among humanity?

I've touched on this topic before in other forums, but it is something I have been considering quite a bit lately and thought it best to jot down my ideas yet again.

It started with a question, "why?" Why does it seem that some humans are born with a greater capacity for intelligence than others? Why haven't we evolved equally? Why are some people born with obvious talent in a certain field, while others are not?

I must preface the rest with the following disclaimer: I am not sure about the idea of reincarnation. I have yet to fully develop my thoughts on the matter of religion: for me, the idea is fluid at the moment. Constantly changing as I explore and learn. However, this is an interesting concept and topic of discussion and there may indeed be some merit to some of these claims.

So I pose the question, "Could reincarnation be an explanation for the inequality among humanity?"

THE SOUL

If you believe in the idea of the soul, that the physical body and our 'spirit' are two separate "things" (for lack of a better word), where does the soul go once our physical bodies have died? For that matter, what is a soul? Does it host our personality? Our dreams? Is there such thing as a "soul mate?" Does the soul "host" our talents?

So where does the soul go? Well, obviously for this post, I am considering that it is reincarnated into another physical body. If this were possible, would the soul retain anything from a previous "life?" Most people have experienced "de ja vu:" a feeling that we have experienced a certain moment before in the past, without being able to pin point that exact moment in our memories. Some theorize that this is because "WE" have not experienced it in our current life, but in a past one. Reincarnation. So how much could our souls really retain? I don't think, if reincarnation occurs at all, that we retain dates, memories, etc but rather the CAPACITY for intelligence, or an innate sense of CREATIVITY or TALENT that can be passed on from body to body with the soul.

Look at Alexander the Great, and Hitler. Based on the study of their life patterns and personalities, some have theorized that they could, in fact, be the same soul inhabiting different bodies during different points in time. One might consider that some of the history's greatest artists (painters, sculptors, musicians, storytellers, etc) could in fact be the same soul, expressing themselves differently depending on the time period in which they have "landed." Some of science's greatest minds, inventors, philosophers, could be expanding their theories throughout time.

REINCARNATION VS CHRISTIANITY

Of course, if one believes in a heaven and a hell, in a christian sense, they would discount the idea of reincarnation. If there are 'good souls' and 'bad souls' inhabiting the earth, why would God choose to reincarnate the bad souls and give them a second chance, that is what the belief in "hell" is for.

Now I am aware that I have not answered any of my questions, these are questions that cannot be truly answered. However, now you see the point of this blog, to explore ideas, to give my observations on certain subjects. Feel free to comment!

x

jack N box

why are we here?

of course i can't answer this question. but why am i here? to explore the question. we live our entire lives haunted by the question: Why?

from the most mundane questionings:

why didn't my alarm go off?

why can't i understand this homework?

why didn't he/she call?

to the more pressing questions in life:

why are we here?

why am i the way i am?

why did they die?

why did he/she leave?

i plan on sharing some of my own observations and thoughts on various subjects relating to life, love, happiness, family, friends, religion, the supernatural, cosmic energy, etc. in between i may post links to other sites i find interesting, photos, music to check out, etc. always feel free to comment. i welcome debates. also, feel free to contact me with any questions or thoughts you want me to explore or expand upon. enjoy!

x

jack N box