Suicide fantasy in Avatar?

[chatpilot]

@synackaon thanks for calling me on the statements I made regarding the suicide fantasy. Truthfully I misunderstood what you were referring to since I did not read the Dr. Zero review. But I took the time to do so today. I personally think you and Dr. Zero need to step back and realize some things. First off this is a movie and in no way meant to be confused with reality although it does convey James Camerons personal views or convictions on several topics relative to the green movement and the whole save the planet conservatives. Secondly, Cameron is a director and an artist, art is self expression and his canvas is the cinema. As such, he has the right to express himself and his views through cinema as he pleases and you have the right to love it or hate it. What I don't get is why someone would get so worked up over views that are seemingly opposed to those that he chooses to suscribe to. You remind me of Mr. Spock from Star Trek who is so caught up in logic that he forgets that there are other factors that need to be analyzed outside of logic such as the human condition and like it or not culture, society, and many other factors need to be taken into consideration. Anyway take it easy before you give yourself a stroke.

Now regarding your suicide fantasy I think I am a victim of said condition for the following reasons. Although humans think of themselves above all species and tout how intelligent they may be, they are at the same time the most destructive force on this planet. I am not a hippie nor a naturalist but I do adore the natural world around us. But as is evidenced by our current condition we have and continue to sacrifice the beauty and resources of this planet for the sake of modernity. I cheered during the end of the movie Avatar as I watched the humans get their asses handed to them by this so called alien race. I was actually rooting for the Nav'i and thought in the context of the movie that they were justified in defending their planet and those things they loved. I am American but it seems that everything America touches it ruins, that is my opinion. We love to go to foreign countries and destroy the flora and the fauna and tap out their most valuable resources in the name of advancement and technology. This message is evident all around us and the movie conveys this very well in my view. Being a member of the human race I am ashamed at what we have done to each other and to this planet and compared to the animal kingdom I think that we are more savage than the most savage beast you could imagine.

[Edwardo Piet]

You don't have the right to be not offended.

I think I've seen you say this before?

All I want to say is.... this line confuses me. How can you say that is the case? How can someone not have the right to not be offended? I don't get it. (Unless you are arguing that 'rights' don't exist or something like that I guess).

EvF

[Eilonnwy]

EvF, he is arguing that people cannot silence free speech on the basis of offense, or at least that's how I've seen the phrase be used. I've used it myself, however in this case it doesn't apply.

Essentially, people will tell other people that they cannot say something because it offends them. A lot of Christians will try to say that freedom of religion means they don't have to hear criticism. The truth is that in order to have freedom of religion and freedom of speech, you cannot silence the speech that most offends you. You do not have the right to not be offended expresses the idea that these freedoms don't protect you from hearing things you don't like.

However, if you are offended you have every right to express offense, and I have a feeling Snackyon was applying the phrase in this way, which is wrong. I can be offended, and I can express offense, I however cannot legally try to silence people based on offense. Furthermore, I never said I was offended when I made my previous post, so he was way off base anyway.

[Edwardo Piet]

I am sorry but I still don't get it.

It's the word "not" that I don't get here.

If you don't have a right not to be offended doesn't that mean that you are obligated to be offended?

"You don't have a right to be offended" makes sense to me.

"You don't have a right not to be offended" I just can't seem to get my head around.

Apologies if I failed to understand your post

EvF

[Samson]

I simply liked the movie for the CG and fictional story.... No more, no less...... (Especially when you see it in 3D)...

[leo-rcc]

It basically means that same as "You have the right to be offended", as in, you may be offended. But are not obligated to so so, it's a right you can exersice or not.

You do not have the right not to be offended means that just because someone says something that may be offensive to you, you do not have the right to stop them from saying it. They do not have to consider your sensibilities. Again, they may choose not to offend you, but that right lies with them, not you.

[Edwardo Piet]

So is it identical to "you have the right to be offended"... or do you mean that it is basically the same thing but the connotations are different (if I am getting it right here?).

EvF

[leo-rcc]

It is saying that you can be offended if you want, but I don't have to do anything to make sure you are not offended.

If I say "EVF is an asshole for not getting this." then you have the right to be offended. You can either be offended or not, it is not a mandatory thing. I on the other hand do not have to do anything to make certain that you are not offended, because you do not have the right not to be offended. Whether you are or not is of no consequence for me.

It is as clear as I can make it, sorry.

[Edwardo Piet]

Not being offended isn't a right. Right? I think I get it lol... I just couldn't get my head around the phrasing I guess, ugh I'm so silly sometimes (or often??) lol...

I apologize for being retarded and although I'm not obliged to I'll apologize anyway out of choice

EvF

[Eilonnwy]

Would it be better to say "You don't have the right to prevent yourself from being offended", essentially you can't insist someone not say something so you're not offended.

Edit: Well you can insist it, but you would be an idiot for saying so. It's not like you can sue someone for being offended