Ethnocentrism from an Anthropological Perspective: Avatar
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AN1001 Anthropology
Cultural Diversity in Global Perspective Ethnocentrism in Anthropological perspective - Avatar
Joey Tan
12866249
Study Period 51, 2014, Singapore Ethnocentrism in Anthropological perspective – Avatar
The film, Avatar, is primarily about the two clashing world-views at the core of the relationship between the civilised and the wild. The story’s protagonist is a paraplegic marine, Jake Sully, who agreed to substitute his deceased twin brother’s place on an expedition to the planet Pandora to obtain an extremely valuable mineral known as “Unobtainium”. As the atmosphere of Pandora is poisonous to humans, scientists created Na’vi-human hybrids called “Avatars” which are operated by genetically matched humans. The Avatars also allowed humans to learn the ways and practices of the Na’vi, who are natives of Pandora. This sci-fi movie also brings the audience through a journey of identifying ethnocentrism – primitivism, exoticism and romanticism.
Ethnocentrism refers to bias where one's own group is the centre of everything. One’s own culture is considered superior and all ‘others’ are scaled and rated as below it (Lundberg, 2012). The first example of Primitivism in the film is shown at the beginning of the film, when Jake arrived on Pandora. The Resources Development Administration (RDA) had trucks filled with modern and advance weapon, which is a contrast when compared to the simple bows and arrows used by the Na’vi.
The problem here isn’t the premise that the Na’vi are as smart and physically-capable as humans but the conclusions that follow this premise. Mr. Kottke seems to be assuming that intelligent, physically-capable people would naturally explode with technology. This argument bothers me quite a bit because of its unspoken flipside: that any culture existing at a Stone Age level must be UNintelligent, UNhealthy, and weak. I don’t want to call anyone out on being a racist here, but,
AN1001 Anthropology
Cultural Diversity in Global Perspective Ethnocentrism in Anthropological perspective - Avatar
Joey Tan
12866249
Study Period 51, 2014, Singapore Ethnocentrism in Anthropological perspective – Avatar
The film, Avatar, is primarily about the two clashing world-views at the core of the relationship between the civilised and the wild. The story’s protagonist is a paraplegic marine, Jake Sully, who agreed to substitute his deceased twin brother’s place on an expedition to the planet Pandora to obtain an extremely valuable mineral known as “Unobtainium”. As the atmosphere of Pandora is poisonous to humans, scientists created Na’vi-human hybrids called “Avatars” which are operated by genetically matched humans. The Avatars also allowed humans to learn the ways and practices of the Na’vi, who are natives of Pandora. This sci-fi movie also brings the audience through a journey of identifying ethnocentrism – primitivism, exoticism and romanticism.
Ethnocentrism refers to bias where one's own group is the centre of everything. One’s own culture is considered superior and all ‘others’ are scaled and rated as below it (Lundberg, 2012). The first example of Primitivism in the film is shown at the beginning of the film, when Jake arrived on Pandora. The Resources Development Administration (RDA) had trucks filled with modern and advance weapon, which is a contrast when compared to the simple bows and arrows used by the Na’vi.
The problem here isn’t the premise that the Na’vi are as smart and physically-capable as humans but the conclusions that follow this premise. Mr. Kottke seems to be assuming that intelligent, physically-capable people would naturally explode with technology. This argument bothers me quite a bit because of its unspoken flipside: that any culture existing at a Stone Age level must be UNintelligent, UNhealthy, and weak. I don’t want to call anyone out on being a racist here, but,