What if there was no Unobtainium?

[Sìltsan'awpo]

Hai gais. I was thinking about what possible scenarios could be in the Avatar sequel (s) and then I started wondering: Would humans still go to Pandora even if there was no Unobtainium?

I mean, that little grey rock is, quote, "the only reason" humans are there. If you take out Unobtainium from the equation, what now?

Would we try to colonize Pandora? Would there even be an Avatar Program? What other profitable things could they use to pay for operations on Pandora? Would we still try to study the Na'vi?

Just so many things that probably would never happen. Thoughts?

[Advent]

We'd probably have a 40% chance of going there. Sure, no minerals, but sentient life.

[Dreaming Of Pandora]

Well the events of the movie wouldn't have happened but if they discovered Pandora and the Na'vi by probe then certainly humans will want to visit there.

[tm20]

it would still be a meaning full trip, well maybe not after what happenned but Pandora has many plants that are possible detoxifiers of soil back on earth (soil is badly polluted with heavy metals and other bad crap) so pandoran plants like the Anemonid can be used to absorb the metals (Anemonids absorb Unobtanium ) and the plants are also thought to have many medical uses, like treating cancer. Cosmetics is another use, as some plants can possibly rejuvenate skin. the possibilities are endless. Not only that but bioluminescent plants can replace lights, reducing energy consumption back on earth.

[Isard]

Originally Posted by tm20

it would still be a meaning full trip, well maybe not after what happenned but Pandora has many plants that are possible detoxifiers of soil back on earth (soil is badly polluted with heavy metals and other bad crap) so pandoran plants like the Anemonid can be used to absorb the metals (Anemonids absorb Unobtanium ) and the plants are also thought to have many medical uses, like treating cancer. Cosmetics is another use, as some plants can possibly rejuvenate skin. the possibilities are endless. Not only that but bioluminescent plants can replace lights, reducing energy consumption back on earth.

So... Pandora's exactly like our rainforests? Because they do all that, and have all the potential.

[Human No More]

The RDA certainly wouldn't be there. Maybe others would who were more interested in the actual biology or in the Na'vi, but the main point would be how to get there.

[tm20]

Originally Posted by Aihwa

So... Pandora's exactly like our rainforests? Because they do all that, and have all the potential.

except the pandoran plants do a better job. and the exotic pandoran plants are sold on the black market back on earth. You're actually not allowed to bring them back to earth (introduced species in the past have been a pain in the ass to manage)

[Patrice Maire]

As given by your description of the plants...
Humans wold find another way to exploit a new world, rape it for it's resources and end up in the same conflict.
Doesn't matter where we go, it's always been a matter of 'what's in it for us' attitude.
"The Sky People have sent us a message. That they can take whatever they want."

Welcome to the human race folks.

[Aquaplant]

Originally Posted by Patrice Maire

As given by your description of the plants...
Humans wold find another way to exploit a new world, rape it for it's resources and end up in the same conflict.
Doesn't matter where we go, it's always been a matter of 'what's in it for us' attitude.
"The Sky People have sent us a message. That they can take whatever they want."

Welcome to the human race folks.

That attitude is simply an integral part of our nature as a species, because it always enhances our chances of survival, when we look out for ourselves and so on. Life is usually always selfish in some ways, because in order to survive, it must usually consume something else. It's really only about point of view and balance when it comes to natural system, but we have taken it to the level where we cannot be touched, yet we still always crave for more, because that is the driving force of our evolution.

For one species to be successful, others usually will suffer for it, directly or indirectly. This happens even in nature, but not for very long, since it usually always balances itself out. The current playing field for humanity is limited to earth at the moment, and we may or may not get out of here before we kill ourselves over petty differences and ideologies, but when we do, it's really only a matter how well balanced the rest of the cosmos is.

We may encounter a technologically less advanced species such as the Na'vi, and I think it has been pretty well established what will happen then. Then again we may come across something even more powerful and possibly more dangerous than ourselves, and in turn will be forced to forfeit our place in the stars. Sure some sort of coexistence can always be possible, but it's usually only at the allowance of the more powerful party.