Avatar: Gaia Hypothesis

Have you ever watched James Cameron’s 2009 Avatar? If so, do you remember the climax of the film? The part where the planet’s fauna went all Deus ex machina and saved the Na’vi from humans. The film’s climax was cool and all, but does it make any sense? Well, to answer this question I will be using Avatar’s lore and a real-world hypothesis called the Gaia Hypothesis. So, if I have piqued your interest then continue reading. And I just might surprise you with new information.

The Avatar’s Lore

Well, based on Avatar’s lore that ending does make sense. Because the planet Pandora is alive and somehow able to command the creature to fight for the Na’vi. And the Na’vi instigated this action by using the Tree of Souls to commune with Pandora. Furthermore, Dr. Grace Augustine and Neytiri’s dialogues provide evidence of this.

First dialog

Firstly, Avatar uses Dr. Grace to explain that the planet Pandora is alive. This happened during the middle portion of the film. Dr. Grace confronts Parker Selfridge that the planet’s trees are all connected. She continued to explain that these connections are similar to neuron connections within our brains. Moreover, Dr. Grave speculates that the connection has formed into something. And this entity is what the Na’vi people are worshiping. Then Dr. Grace used this explanation to convince Selfridge not to destroy the trees. Overall, the dialog did not give a definitive answer. But it does lay the foundation for the concept.

Second dialog

Moreover, the Na’vi people’s experience further supports Dr. Grace’s speculation. The dialog for this evidence comes from Jake’s intimate conversation with Neytiri. During that scene, Neytiri told Jake that they can connect with the trees. Here the Na’vi connect their ponytail hair-like appendage to the glowing tree vines. The connection that Neytiri speaks of is similar to their way of connecting with the animals. And during connection, they can hear the voice of their ancestors. Hence, Avatar is presenting that Pandora is collecting the consciousness of the Na’vi.

Third dialog

Lastly, Avatar’s evidence that the planet is alive comes from Dr. Grace again. Colonel Miles Quaritch fatally wounds Dr. Grace during their escape from the base. And to help save her life Jake decided to go to the Tree of Souls. There he planned to use the tree to transfer her consciousness to her Na’vi body. Thus, Jake laid her at the base of the tree with her Na’vi body. Then the whole Na’vi tribe connected to the tree and chanted to move her consciousness. But, Jake’s plan did not work and Dr. Grace died. Nevertheless, during her final moments, she said “I am with her, Jake”. This statement postulates that she was right that there is an entity. And that Dr. Grace is now with it.

Avatar and the Gaia Hypothesis

I brought up the Gaia Hypothesis to further vindicate Avatar’s concept. Because the film’s concept is similar to the extreme version of the hypothesis. So, let us talk about the Gaia Hypothesis.

James Lovelock and Lynn Margulis formulated the hypothesis. They named their hypothesis from the Greek primordial deity that represents the Earth. Hence, it states that the Earth’s surface has self-regulating feedback mechanisms. Additionally, the interaction between Earth’s organisms and their surroundings causes this phenomenon.

Moreover, some believe in a more extreme version of the hypothesis. They speculate that the Earth is more than just self-regulating; it is actually alive. But you have to be skeptical of The Gaia Hypothesis. Because the hypothesis is very controversial in the realm of academia. And this is because there is no concrete scientific evidence for the hypothesis.

Now by understanding the hypothesis you will see its similarity to the film. And it seems that James Cameron’s Avatar is a representation of the extreme interpretation of the hypothesis. So, the film’s concept is not completely fictional. Because of this, the film became much more interesting and shows that there is some truth to its fantasy.

What Do You Think

So, what do you folks think? Did you enjoy Avatar’s climactic battle? Did the Gaia Hypothesis surprise you? Does the climax make sense to you now? Or it just made it more confusing. Comment right below your thoughts on the matter.