It would seem that we, the American people, cannot stand the way things are in our own lives currently. We don't like who we are. We want to be somebody else. Or at least that's what I've been gathering from a recent slew of movies that have come out. I'm talking Avatar, Surrogates, and Gamer to name a few. These movies focus on allowing people to live out their lives away from the reality of their actual lives, through the control of anything from a hardened criminal, to a robot, to an 8 foot tall Na'vi. In Avatar, we see a crippled marine gain back his legs, and ultimately his individuality. In Gamer (absolutely terrible movie; please don't waste two hours seeing it), people control criminals in a real life "video game" deathmatch. They also can control people in a social setting with no rules; much like a real life Second Life. Finally, in Surrogates, people own robotic copies of themselves that they live their daily lives through. In each of these films, people get a "second chance" of sorts. And they become addicted to it helplessly. They loose sight of their actual life, and become caught up in the "fantasy world" presented by the alternative body. Its not terribly far off however. Today, people become ensnared by virtual worlds; World of Warcraft, Second Life, Everquest, even The Sims.
What is it about the idea of a second body that is so incredibly addicting and appealing? I was addicted to video games at one point; I know what that's like. But to spend your entire life as some(thing) else? Are people that dissatisfied with themselves? I can understand Jake Sully's position in Avatar; heck, I'd say I'm even a little jealous. But the other two examples just make me want to cry; because I can see our society falling into that hole so quickly and without a single care. God gave us our lives, our bodies, our talents, our abilities, our strong suites, our weaknesses, and our downfalls. They are each something unique to each of us. Its like saying, "God, its cool that You, the Creator of the universe, made me, but you know.. I think I can do better" God made us US, and it would be a crime to hide yourself behind something entirely not
you.
It would seem that we, the American people, cannot stand the way things are in our own lives currently. We don't like who we are. We want to be somebody else. Or at least that's what I've been gathering from a recent slew of movies that have come out. I'm talking Avatar, Surrogates, and Gamer to name a few. These movies focus on allowing people to live out their lives away from the reality of their actual lives, through the control of anything from a hardened criminal, to a robot, to an 8 foot tall Na'vi. In Avatar, we see a crippled marine gain back his legs, and ultimately his individuality. In Gamer (absolutely terrible movie; please don't waste two hours seeing it), people control criminals in a real life "video game" deathmatch. They also can control people in a social setting with no rules; much like a real life Second Life. Finally, in Surrogates, people own robotic copies of themselves that they live their daily lives through. In each of these films, people get a "second chance" of sorts. And they become addicted to it helplessly. They loose sight of their actual life, and become caught up in the "fantasy world" presented by the alternative body. Its not terribly far off however. Today, people become ensnared by virtual worlds; World of Warcraft, Second Life, Everquest, even The Sims. 
What is it about the idea of a second body that is so incredibly addicting and appealing? I was addicted to video games at one point; I know what that's like. But to spend your entire life as some(thing) else? Are people that dissatisfied with themselves? I can understand Jake Sully's position in Avatar; heck, I'd say I'm even a little jealous. But the other two examples just make me want to cry; because I can see our society falling into that hole so quickly and without a single care. God gave us our lives, our bodies, our talents, our abilities, our strong suites, our weaknesses, and our downfalls. They are each something unique to each of us. Its like saying, "God, its cool that You, the Creator of the universe, made me, but you know.. I think I can do better" God made us US, and it would be a crime to hide yourself behind something entirely not you.
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