Hello everyone. Today I'd like to talk about an aspect of movies that is generally not often discussed much, or at least, not in the way I want to present it. Today I would like to talk about the Na'vi, and their relationship with Pandora. It is clear that for many people (including myself) one of the main attractions of the Avatar movies is Pandora, the world that is presented to us. In the movies, the planet of Pandora is practically a paradise, an idyllic and wonderful place, a true Eden. It is a place full of life and nature, but it is not just an empty planet. There is real life on Pandora. And not just microorganisms or simple animals, but complex life forms. And those complex life forms are not just animals without reasoning. They are the na'vi. On a planet like that, there are humanoid beings with intelligence. Beings like us, with a similar body and intelligence, living in perfect harmony with their planet and nature.

Surely, seeing the Na'vi way of life and comparing it to how we have treated the beauty of our planet, we really feel disappointed with ourselves. I imagine that everyone here is familiar with the post-Avatar syndrome, and surely, if we are on this subreddit, it is because at some point we came to fantasize about living on Pandora, or at least, making our relationship with our planet like that of the Na'vi. But, however, I don't think it's all that clear-cut.

So, is the Na'vi relationship with their planet really as good as we think it is? There is no doubt that the relationship that the Na'vi have with their planet is certainly much better than the one we have with ours, but that doesn't mean that they don't have their problems either. It is true that they have a good relationship, but sometimes I wonder if that does not prevent them from progressing.

Now, before anyone says anything. It is true that each culture progresses at its own pace, and that the definition of what we consider as "progress" is, even though we can be aware of it and try to avoid it, quite Eurocentric. All cultures follow their own patterns of progress and evolution at all levels, from the political to the economic and cultural, and each does so according to its prevailing values and philosophy (or religion). But there is a notable difference between the situation of the Na'vi and that of the first human civilizations. And it is called Eywa.

According to the Avatar wiki, Eywa is a conscious biological being that connects all life on Pandora and keeps its ecosystem in total balance. It is able to detect "outside elements" such as humans and send Pandora's fauna to fight them (In fact, that's the reason why humans have to make their own na'vi). So said, and according to what we are told in the movies, it seems that Eywa is practically a goddess. But this is not true. Eywa is not omniscient, and in fact, in the movies we see how the na'vi have to inform her of what is happening so that she can understand different events. In a way, it could be said that Eywa is a super-evolved being that connects all life forms on Pandora, allowing, for example, the na'vi to connect with the Ikran.

And now, while this perfect symbiosis may seem like a perfect thing, allowing life on the planet to be perfectly balanced, I believe that there is a darker side to this whole thing. And that is, while Eywa helps the Na'vi to have a peaceful coexistence with the planet, it also prevents them from "evolving" to a certain extent (Again, every culture has its idea of progress, yadda yadda). So, having everything at their disposal, the na'vi, ironically, can have nothing for themselves. Is there na'vi science? Better yet, do the na'vi need science? And culture? We have seen that, like all cultures, they have their language, religion, music... But do they innovate? Are there any na'vi philosophers? Are there any na'vi who have really concerned themselves with the material world? With technology? It is true that we cannot fully know about this, but, at least from what we have seen in the movies, the Na'vi seem to have little interest in this regard. And why? Throughout history, one of the main engines that drove cultures forward was their contact with other cultures. We know that the Na'vi live separated by biomes, but they still have some contact with each other, as can be seen in the first film when Jake asks the different tribes of Pandora for help. So why don't the Na'vi move forward, why do they seem to be, simply put, not curious? Again, the answer is Eywa.

We know that, thanks to Eywa, the Na'vi can communicate with their ancestors. And this is the problem. In our world, we can learn about the past, but not talk to it. This leads to the fact that many times, when we interact with it, for example, reading a book by Plato, we do so from our own contemporary and individual perspective. Interpretations are allowed, which causes a plurality of ideas that causes a small cultural revolution which ultimately makes society change and evolve. Among the Na'vi, however, this does not happen. They can speak directly to their ancestors, without interpretation. And so, it is only one current of thought that is transmitted. From parents to children, throughout history. Only one way of thinking. That of the ancestors.

The na'vi are not connected to their ancestors through Eywa. They are controlled by them. That is why they cannot progress. That's why they can't do things differently. Because from the past, only one stream of thought comes to them. And that's the way it's going to be throughout their history. This way, the na’vi aren’t individual beings. Diversity is allowed, but only inside an already decided way of thought. Their connection to Pandora is both their blessing and their curse.

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¿So? ¿What do you think? I know I got a little melodramatic at the end. It wasn't entirely my intention. Be that as it may, it is clear that the relationship of the Na'vi with their planet is, leaving aside their degree of autonomy, better than ours. I just wanted to analyze the situation in a little more depth, and leave room for alternative interpretations. So, what do you guys think? I'd like to know - don't be afraid to comment! And sorry if I sounded a little Quaritch-like at the end. I may have gotten a bit carried away.