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ppk80
'Sup.
Joined: 16 Apr 2009
Posts: 6
Fri Jul 03, 2009 10:09 pm |
 Post subject: An Observation on Avatar: TLA |
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I have been wondering about the relationship between benders and nonbenders in the show. Apparently, it's a non-issue when it definitely should be! Here's some incomplete analysis:
Why aren't they discriminating each other? There is an obvious inequality, (although not necessarily of ability, but perhaps of capability). This should influence their politics greatly, for example, would you rather elect a bender, or a nonbender? Wouldn't the benders tend to have positions of power, whether people liked it or not? Will you be biased to electing either? We see that there are definitely special places the benders gather in and that there is a clear demarcation between the benders, yet it's still not an issue. Let's have a run down with the facts.
1. a certain percentage of the population are benders. I'm not entirely sure what percentage, but any percentage will affect it. Note that all air nomads are air benders. I'm guessing somewhere from 30-50% High percentage of benders would imply that non-benders are handicapped, and there would be some culture that would get rid of these babies, some culture like the brutal fire nation. but they don't. A lower percentage of benders would lead to elitism or fear from the rest of the masses, but that does not happen. However, elitism does actually somewhat occur as the benders have specialized training for their bending. These alone should cause massive issues. However, we also know that leaders or powerful people needs followers too, and non-benders can serve that purpose, which brings us to the next fact:
2. The show is trying to emphasize that it's not whether you bend or not that makes you good, but whether you're really good. Examples include Azula's gals, Sokka and the armies. They actually did try to tackle the issue minimally through Sokka complaining that he's not bending. There's also the fact that non-benders are incorporated into the armies. However, this does not explain the non existance of the issue. Wouldn't non-benders have to work a bit harder to be more powerful? Also, bending has strong economic implications. You don't need firewood and matches if you're a firebender: you can survive in the woods. Hunting would be easier. Gathering water would be easy for a waterbender. Point is, life is made easier by bending. Again, the advantages of just being able to bend are obvious! From this advantage alone, we should be seeing bending clans climbing the social ladder!!!!! But even still maybe they don't, because:
3. Bending doesn't seem to be hereditary. And if it were, it seems to have a more complex mechanism. It seems that, disregarding the air nomads, those that can bend are born with it randomly. However, there's seems to be a limit to this as we don't see waterbenders giving birth to earthbenders (why?). With this configuration, there should be heightened intrafamily issues as when one sibling can bend and another can't. Also, it perhaps changes the dynamics of baby killing, because since it's not genetic, there's less reason to kill their baby non-benders, but also for the same reason, everyone has a reason to try for another baby.
This organized brainbarf does not end here. I'm too tired to sort all the rest of my thoughts at the moment! Please, help me understand this non-issue! |
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taonggyera
You Can't Stop The Anger
Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 324
Tue Jul 07, 2009 12:56 am |
| Post subject: Re: An Observation on Avatar: TLA |
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| ppk80 wrote: | | Why aren't they discriminating each other? |
Why is Paramount discriminating Asians ? 
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