Avatar and ancestors

[nonionay]

Just got back from Avatar 3D. It was just what I expected--beautiful imagery, standard plot and characters.
What I want to talk about is ancestors. Has anyone written a story about what a lousy idea it would to take advice from your ancestors? Specifically, being able to speak directly to your ancestors, not just the general praying for protection that you get in a lot of cultures.

Because seriously. While there's something to be said for the wisdom of age, there's also something to be said for ignoring a giant collective mob of homophobia and racism who just might tell me that the answer to my problems is to marry a nice man. Granted, they might not say that. It would be interesting to see how the genuinely mature ancestors balance out your great, great uncle who got kicked to death by his horse when he fell off during a drunken lynching.

Comments

[mimerki.livejournal.com]

"The ancestors say that you need to paint your face blue and steal his sheep for the dishonor he's done to you."
"Uh, I don't think he has any sheep..."
"Cattle? Horses?"
"I think he's got a Landrover..."
"The ancestors say you need to paint your face blue and let the air out of his tires."

[westrider.livejournal.com]

That's actually a fascinating concept. And even more so for people of mixed heritage, who may be getting drastically different advice from Ancestors of different Cultures. I might have to fool around with that one a bit.

[catjuggling.livejournal.com]

Or maybe you've always thought you were descended from Thomas Jefferson and made the assumption it was with his actual wife, only to find out your line takes a turn towards Africa.

[shadesofmauve]

Oh, please write it! It's one of the tropes that has always bothered me... "Really, ancestor? That's how you'd heal that infection? But in your day, you'd have died of gangrene, and we have antibiotics now..." "Shut up, whippernsapper! Have respect for your elders! We KNEW things!"

[q13-exe.livejournal.com]

think about the ratio of people you love and admire, who "get it", to those you truly despise, to the general populace. Now, stretch that over generations. You have some groovy ancestors you could jive with, a mob of restless asshats, and a bunch of stiffs.

Most folks, when they invoke or pay tribute to their ancestors often make one of two primary assumptions:

1) The groovy ancestors are the ones that will heed your call

2) death offers perspective that leads to everyone being relaxed and groovy

In my family, I say the chances of a hip cat answering the call is about one-in-five. There are three of four I know of where I would get stuck as the target of an endless debate/monologue about...whatever.