although avatar enthralls in 3d, what surprised me more than the animation (given poor plot reviews) was its potential as a modern allegory for young audiences. anyone who's experienced first hand the tragedy of pristine peoples or ecosystems exploited, or who knows the work of paul stamets or lynn twist, will appreciate currents that run through this tale.

the story takes place in some distant future, as earth withers from environmental destruction and warfare, and humans have begun infiltrating new worlds with the same force, ignorance and deception that have destroyed indigenous cultures and ecosystems since time immemorial.  although certain elements are banal (unobtainium?), critics seem to have overlooked a timely and relevant message: that nature's networks and native wisdom have the power to inform our understanding of how to integrate and leverage technologies to serve rather than to enslave.

my only serious gripe is the notion that native cultures have nothing to learn or want from modern civilization.  lynn twist’s story of being 'summoned' by the achuar people of ecuador to help reunite the amazonian cultures of the condor with their long-lost 'modern' brethren of the eagle, is an example that inspires possibilities for greater balance, peace and shared prosperity in the real world.

to learn more about lynn twist’s pachamama alliance, visit www.pachamama.org.  to hear from paul stamets how mushrooms can help save the world; check out his ted talk: http://www.ted.com/talks/paul_stamets_on_6_ways_mushrooms_can_save_the_world.html.