Avatar Depression On The Rise, Fans Seek Help
By Krystal Clark
I always thought watching visual spectacles made people happy, so imagine my surprise when Avatar depression groups started popping up online. The film has been praised for its ground breaking special effects, motion capture, and use of 3-D technology, but apparently everybody can’t take that sh*t and face the real world the next day. According to CNN, “Avatar Depression” is on the rise, and it’s very real.
On the official Avatar Forum, there’s a thread entitled “Ways to cope with the depression of the dream of Pandora being intangible.” It has over 1,000 posts from people who are seriously looking for ways to deal with their post-Avatar depression. They can’t grasp the concept that something as visually stunning as Pandora doesn’t exist, and it’s making them turn their backs on reality. One of the scariest posts to come from the depression thread was published by a user named, Naviblue who actually expressed thoughts of suicide after seeing the film.
“Ever since I went to see ‘Avatar’ I have been depressed. Watching the wonderful world of Pandora and all the Na’vi made me want to be one of them. I can’t stop thinking about all the things that happened in the film and all of the tears and shivers I got from it. I even contemplate suicide thinking that if I do it I will be rebirthed in a world similar to Pandora and the everything is the same as in ‘Avatar.’ “
What the hell is wrong with people?! I’m pretty sure James Cameron nor Fox wanted you to feel like crap when you walked out of the theater. People are taking this film to heart, and even though it has a legitimate message it’s still meant to be entertaining, hence the special effects. But the visuals seem to only fuel the depression of some people who have become disenchanted with the dullness of their lives. Forum member Eltu wrote,
“When I woke up this morning after watching ‘Avatar’ for the first time yesterday, the world seemed … gray. It was like my whole life, everything I’ve done and worked for, lost its meaning. It just seems so … meaningless. I still don’t really see any reason to keep … doing things at all. I live in a dying world.”
These responses sound like the dialogue from a late night infomercial. Once again, there are some stark realities that the film addresses, but there’s no need to give up on life. Isn’t the whole purpose of the film to get people to move on and try to change the mistakes of the past?
Have you experienced Avatar Depression? Do you think these fans have legitimate reasons to be sad?
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 7:18PM
Krystal,
I hope that the people who are depressed by the comparision of our world to Pandora will be spurred to take some positive action about the sorry state of our Planet — do something positive – join Defenders of Wildlife, join the Sierra Club – take charge and lessen their own footprint, be more conservative of the resources they use – recycle….. Good planets are hard to find – and as far as I know, this is the only one we have — and saving it is totally in our hands.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 7:35PM
People should not become depressed, they should become motivated to do something about the world we live in. Instead of "No reason to live" they should look at it as "A New reason to live" : )
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 8:45PM
Our world *is* like Pandora. Something as marvellous as Pandora exists in front of your eyes behind a strange veil. The challenge is to find it, to part the veil, and not to lose your mind in the process. This is a challenge as big as Jake's in the movie, and requires courage, honesty and all of your spirit. Give up the bondage of self-concern and be what you are:- intelligence and love in action.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 12:56PM
This is more ridiculous than talking about racism in Avatar. This cannot be serious.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 9:43PM
In that case, people shouldn't be moping around contemplating suicide, they should be trying to make our world more like Pandora. It's true, our planet's pretty crappy as of recently, but is that not motivation enough to do something about it?
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 1:56AM
But knowing Jesus is life from the dead, and God will raise everyone from the dead to eternal life, love him or hate him. You don’t get to choose about being alive eternally, only about what that eternity is like; in intimate relationship with God in perfect fulfilment, or an endless torment where you are eternally consumed by your own rage against God and all that is good.
Jesus gives peace and fulfills the insatiable longings humanity feel.
You that are thirsty, come and drink.
And Jesus is coming back to this planet to stay as it’s rightful leader and king. Pandora is nothing in comparison to the Kingdom of God.
There is much injustice in this earth, which can be a depressing thought, but take hope. Jesus is just and true, and he will establish perfect justice in all the earth. He is also merciful to those who change their attitude towards him. Jesus holds off the day of his justice, so that as many people as possible will change their attitude and accept him. But eventually, he will come with judgment that establishes perfect justice. He is good.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 9:09AM
For you to understand the feelings that this movi causes, you have to dig deeper to the meaning behind it. We are sometimes very naive to think that Holywood would spend millions of dollars to produce amovie for just "entertainment". The truth is beyond what we see.
Befoer I watched this movie, some of my friends were depressed and they wanted to saty in pandora. I didn'd say much until I saw the movie.
There are some things to consider, search the meaning of the names, Avatar – Pandora -. to start.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 1:55AM
I know how they feel.
I used to consume my life with entertainment, specifically movies, games, and novels, with a signicant emphasis on sci-fi and fantasy.
But there is no satisfaction to be found there.
Humanity was made by God to deeply desire far greater things than even human relationships. As the old saying goes, we were made with a God-shaped hole in our hearts, one that only knowing Jesus will fill. We were made to be dependent upon God.
This ‘hole’ is the reason for addiction, where we try drugs, booze, porn, entertainment, extreme sports, careers, adultery, even marriage or dating, to fill God’s rightful place in our lives. It’s also the reason for depression, because some people realise that none of these things work. Eventually you will be dead and every thing you worked for and everyone you love will be dead too. So what does it matter is you can quote Avatar word for word, or you got the best job, or you slept with this many women, or you were well respected by all, etc.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 5:55AM
Ha ha, everyone please do join a forum for this…. it's good to have all the nutters in one place.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 7:48AM
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Sunday, April 25, 2010 9:57PM
NERD!!!!!!!!
Thursday, May 6, 2010 1:31PM
this movie can make pagans upset once again people just have to destroy culture and beautiful places man is greedy or aka the sky people who do just what people who dont understand love for nature or spritual areas. even quotes and events in the movie mentioned that the movie is based on real life
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