One of the reasons I love the Activist Survival Guide it gives so much insite to the Na'vi and their way of life. How I wish I could live with them...

Hopefully Cameron will show us more in Avatar 2!

Not to hijack the thread or anything, but the Na'vi society is more individualized than our own. They each have an indisputable connection with Eywa. And thus they are free to be who they are, much more so than we humans who feel the need to 'belong' to a group to help us with our identity. Sure, they conform to a degree, but nothing like the herd mentality that rules us humans. Well, I should say, most humans, because we are some of the forward guard in that respect.

I apologize ahead, but I would beg to differ, what I saw and appreciated greatly about the Na'Vi culture was a surrending of indvidualization to the higher principle of 'collective unity', its the disconnection from this, the feeling 'alone' that contributes to this worlds belief in separation.

I think it's both in a way. They are far more accepting and understanding of individuals, while at the same time having a shared sense of belonging.

Yes, I think you're expressing it better. They exist as whole individuals and yet exist in a society with few barriers between its members. It is more balanced than either what Western Civ. has to offer, or the concept of a "commune" where you submit your will to a majority.

Not really, what I meant was the Na'vi having a communal social framework where the greater good comes before the individual, hence the group before the individual.
The individual is unselfish and giving, the way things work best.

I would agree with everything, perhaps with the small exception that "the greater good comes before the individual".

I do not differ with this because of a presumed importance of the individual. What I mean is that Eywa runs her planet efficiently enough so that the greatest good includes individual good, rather than being opposed to it.

In fact, individual Good, in the truest sense, is never in opposition to the greatest good. It is the egocentric mindset with which Westerners are raised that gives them the idea that what is good for them is different from what is good for all. For example, the scene in which the Na'vi elder is buried, comes as a natural and normal part of life. The well-being of the elder is not in doubt, for they will live on in Eywa. Nothing valuable is ever wasted on Pandora.

No need to apologize. We're just trying to figure out what and who we really are in the greater picture of existence, after all. I am pretty certain that many of my beliefs will change in the next 5 years, and the same is probably true for you, because we are all growing, and growth means change.

Yes, this thread is hijacked! LOL! Anyway, Aside from the main characters, the other Na'vi were just background and as such were rather indiscript.

We did notice other interesting clan leaders when Jake was uniting the clans - that one leader of the savanah people who had a bone through his nose, and of course the female leader of the clan that lived by the sea. I am sure there is much more to the Na'vi and their culture than we know now.