Cameron, X-Prize, and A Culture of Hate
James Cameron Heads For Mariana Trench to Film Avatar Sequel and Capture X Prize Simultaneously
Director James Cameron has commissioned Australian designers to build a sub that can plunge 36,000 feet beneath the surface of the ocean, hoping to combine his love for deep waters with his apparent craving for cash. If he can pull it off, he could win a $10 million X Prize and shoot footage for an “Avatar” sequel simultaneously.
The Daily Mail first reported the story, saying the sub would be made of composite materials and powered by electric motors. It would have to survive the immense pressures experienced at seven miles below the surface of the ocean, where Cameron hopes to shoot 3-D footage to incorporate into the second Avatar film.
The sub would be designed to explore the Challenger Deep, a 35,994-foot deep depression in the southern end of the Mariana Trench. It’s the deepest known spot in the oceans and has only been explored three times — but since the first daring 1960 attempt in the Trieste, no one has tried a manned descent.
Attempting such a feat would hardly be a first for the director, who has waded into deep waters several times on behalf of his films, including “Titanic” and “Aliens of the Deep.” The “Avatar” sequel will reportedly be set in the fictional oceans of Pandora.
Later this year, the X Prize Foundation is expected to formally announce a $10 million award to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Trieste's dive. The winnings will go to the first privately funded sub to make two repeat manned descents to Challenger Deep.
Not content to earn more money than anyone in the history of moving pictures, HMFIC apparently wants an X Prize, too."
Ok, all set?Because here are some things that I find interesting, and things that really piss me off.
First, the next Avatar will be all about the oceans. Which I think will be really freaking cool. Now that my 8yr old self has gotten his opinion out there...
The next thing is HELL YEAH JAMES CAMERON. Going to the bottom of the trench is kind of like flying into space: dangerous, incredibly difficult environment, a huge technical challenge, and no direct benefit other than the fact that we are human and goddamnit we will explore every last corner we know of. The difference is that we have only been once, briefly, to the bottom of the ocean. This would be like simply giving up on space after Yuri Gagarin's first, brief, exit of the atmosphere.
But the thing which really, really pisses me off is the last little paragraph: "Not content to earn more money than anyone in the history of moving pictures, HMFIC apparently wants an X Prize, too." Are you kidding? This is from Popular Science, a major scientific publication. Why the bitter and twisted view of the world when applied to making money? Because it is a thread which currently resonates strongly in the American electorate. Which is disgusting. What the hell is wrong with capturing a prize when you already have money? Why the hell not? Interestingly this is applied to a guy in the entertainment industry, which is usually exempt from the hatred applied to CEOs and other businessmen - in fact people usually take pride in their favorite movie star or athlete getting a $20 or $50 million contract. Maybe it is because he is a producer, not actor, so it is assumed his product is being intelligent, and inherently it is unfair to use intelligence to make money, but when you are using god-given gifts such as beauty and athleticism, you just can't be blamed for it.
This trend is increasingly prevalent in American society. It is both disgusting and dangerous. It is also a sign of the coming fall of American super-power world-leading status.
Comments
Post a Comment