Avatar: The Last Airbender Is The G.O.A.T. | Video Essay

Just finished version 3.0 of my Avatar Sub-Element chart. It's come a long way since version 1.

POKEMON GO:  My Issues with Mega evolution and how to fix them.

1)  Mega Raids need to be more accessible:   Mega Pokemon are Very powerful in raids and can be difficult to beat if you live rurally or don't have a strong Pokemon Go community.  Many players can't do 5 star raids because of the same problems.  Mega Pokemon should be lowered to the level of 4 star raids, rather than having a second 5 star raid boss.   

 2) Mega Pokemon should be tailored to help defeat the legendaries:  

Mega Pokemon should help players defeat the incumbent Legendary.  For example, have a water mega featured when Moltres returns to raids.  This will help players and encourage them to use Mega Pokemon.  However, this becomes very difficult if Mega Pokemon are just as hard to beat as a Legendary.  Once again, Mega Pokemon should be a 4 star raid or lower.   

 3)  Un-Mega Pokemon aren't as special as you think:   

Yes Megas are cool and powerful, but you don't get to catch Megas from a Mega raid.  Un-Mega Pokemon such as Charizard and co. aren't very valuable by themselves, and were in 3 or 4 star raids.  Yes, we're raiding from Mega candy, but I still think the Megas should kept at the same levels is their counterparts.  So once again, Megas as 4* raids.   Also, since they already got rid of 4* raids, it would fill a niche that I think people will miss.   

 4)  Re-evolving is Too expensive:

The price to unlock a mega evolution is pretty steep, but I think it's "ok" for now.  However, It is still very expensive to re-mega a Pokemon.    Aside from the initial cost, Mega Pokemon cost a lot to maintain and players will quickly run out of mega energy.  It takes 1-2 Mega Raids to re-Mega a Pokemon, which makes them very hard to use.  Plus, with the end of summer, many people won't have the time to stock up on mega energy.   5)  Megas are seasonal:Also, It's very likely that there will different Megas featured for each month(s).  This means that players will run out of energy and won't be able to mega that Pokemon at all.  After a certain amount of time, the Mega will be useless.  Plus, with how difficult Mega Raids are, you can't just run out and do them like a 1 or 2 star raid, they would require planning which takes time.  And since Mega Raids are difficult, it will be very hard to stock up on mega energy.   

 6)  Change the requirements to Re-Mega evolve: Megas shouldn't need energy 

to re-evolve, but should use a cool down or "Walking Requirement".  A walking requirement is much better because most players can do it and it encourages people to stay healthy.   Otherwise, re-evolution cost should be severally reduced.  Like I said before, Megas are likely to be seasonal and most players won't be able to stores lots of energy.   

 7)  Where is the "Best Buddy" discount?: 

 Many players speculated that there would be a discount for "Best Buddies", but that does not appear to be the case.  

8)  There have to be alternate ways to get Mega Energy:  

Megas are likely to be seasonal, so we need alternate means to refuel our Megas.  More mega energy could be gotten from quests, berries, or walking with your best buddy.  Mega energy should be easier to get than candy, because candy creates a permanent change (i.e. evolution or lvl up) while mega energy only causes a temporary change.  

9)  Mega Rare Candy:  

Just like "Rare Candy", we should have rare mega energy that can be used for any mega.  This could be used as a weekly rewards or such.  

10)  More time to invite people to raids:  

Inviting people to raids is wonderful, but it can be difficult.  After you invite a friend, they usually only have a minute to respond.  This isn't enough time for most friends to notice, react and decide if they want to join.  Plus, technical errors make in harder to invite people and waste valuable time.   There needs to be an option for a longer lobby time.  

11)  Can't see how any people are in a distance raid:  

When I'm invited to a raid, I am unable to see how many people are already there.  So I often waste my raid pass on fights I can't win.  The Solution is Simple:  Let us see how many people are joining a raid no matter where you are.

12)  Return raid pass if you fail:  

Just like with the Team Rocket Radar, you should only use your raid pass if you win.  Many people won't even attempt a raid because they are afraid of loosing their pass for the day.  No one wants to waste their stuff.   

 These Raid Problems affect Mega Raids as well as so they should also be considered.  

In summary, I think Mega Evolution can be improved by:   

Decrease Mega raids to the level of a 4 star raid.  

Decrease Re-evolve cost with increased.

Decrease Mega candy cost for Re-evolution or remove it entirely.  

Make walking the main requirement to Re-evolve Megas.  

Alternate ways of making mega energy.  Such as berries, rare mega energy, quests, or walking with your buddy.  

Have the option for a longer Raid lobby.  

Return raid pass if you fail.  

Who is to blame?  It's an interesting question especially when there are multiple parties are involved.  On top of this is the "Scapegoat mentality" people have.  i.e.  If we can blame one person, then everyone else is in the clear.   But the answer to this is both simple and nuanced:  They are all to blame, but not equally.  

First is the Network.  Networks are responsible to make sure their content isn't dishonest or dangerous; that it isn't breaking the law or causing harm.  Many networks already have rules and regulations to guard against these problems, and can ban individuals or companies who break those rules.  Networks have a responsibility to keep their costumers/ viewers safe and they should be accountable if they didn't take or enforce precautions.  I'd say Networks have a Medium level of blame.  

Second, the Content Channel, Creators, or Content Farms have a very high level of blame, and should be accountable to both the networks and the viewers.  They are the source of the problem, and are directly responsible for the injury and harm they cause.  Even if they don't create the content themselves, they are still promoting it and have an equal share in the blame.   Networks on the other hand are only responsible if they didn't try to prevent hazardous content, or if they promoted it.  

Lastly, we have the viewers.   There is an old saying:  "Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice, shame on me."   Most of the victims fall into this first part, and are often the young or unexperienced.  Unless a person was intentionally being stupid, you can't blame them for getting coned.   A thief is still responsible for their actions, regardless of how many precautions the victim makes.  

The Viewers have a very low amount of blame, but the do have a responsibility.  A responsibility to blow the whistle on these dishonest and dangerous content.  A network isn't all knowing, and it relies on heir viewers to help them find rule breakers.  Networks and victims will sue, but the rest of us can be the eyes in the sky.  Viewers can and should call out bad content, warn their neighbors, and hold these creators, channels, or even networks responsible for their actions.  

The Cycle of the Fire Lords AKA Generational Daddy Issues

You know how in the series finale Ozai declares himself the Phoenix King? I’ve always found that odd, since dragon seems to be the prestige animal of the Fire Nation. However, once I realized what the phoenix in Avatar actually was, it all clicked.

The “phoenix” that Ozai is referring to is the “Vermilion Bird” or Zhūquè (朱雀). The Vermillion Bird is a mythological bird that is portrayed as bright red and perpetually on fire, basically the closest equivalent to a phoenix in Chinese culture. The Vermilion Bird also represents fire and the season of summer, the two most defining attributes of Sozin’s Comet.

So, essentially, Ozai is declaring himself the king of fire and summer and Sozin’s Comet and all things Fire Nation-y. We all could’ve figured that out without the cultural context, but it goes much so much deeper.

The name of Ozai’s father is Azulon, which I mentioned in an earlier post means “Azure Dragon”. The Azure Dragon is associated with spring. When Ozai declares himself “Phoenix”, he is basically calling himself the “natural” successor to the Azure Dragon. Summer comes after spring, after all.

Think about that. Ozai has been Fire Lord for 5 years already and he’s still obsessed with proving that he deserves the throne. That he was “destined” to have it. He knows he isn’t a dragon like Azulon or Iroh, so he decides he’ll be be even better than that: A phoenix! The ruler of summer! He’s the embodiment of fire—Yup, Mr. Fire Lord, the most Fire Lord man to ever Fire Lord, coming through. It’s all so very dramatic and pathetic and reeking of insecurity.

And if Azulon is spring, and Ozai is summer, then Zuko is autumn. Which makes sense, since Zuko’s reign is defined by the dismantling of the Fire Nation empire; the branches of their imperialism withering away. In Chinese culture, the season of autumn is represented by the element of Metal. The-Hot-Zone, @the-hot-zone, put it best:

For Zuko to also be associated with metal is… pretty fitting. Metalbending is an entirely new style of earthbending, and it completely changes how people view earth. This can symbolize the shift Zuko will bring to the Fire Nation: re-associating fire with life, with passion, with light. It’s about the new understanding of an element.

Also, the animal associated with fall is the White Tiger, which is pretty rad. Zuko’s fierceness is very tiger-like.

Bending 101

Lesson 1:  What is Bending

WHO’S THAT POKEMON?

Android players will very be familiar with this glitch in Pokemon Go.  It’s been happening for at least a month now and there is no sign that it’s going to be fixed.  But it can make the game more interesting.  

Updated Element chart with explanations and a new watermark.  

Logo for FireBending101

AIR BENDING PAMPHLET

Now we have one for each element.  

This is my most current elemental chart for Avatar the last Airbender.  It’s gone through many different versions but I’m really happy with how this one turned out.  

I’ve included my old versions for reference.  

Central area:  The four classic with Energy bending in the center.  

Inner Circle:  Basic sub-skills most benders can use.  

Outer Circle:  Advanced sub-skills that are difficult to learn.  

Outer Edge:  True power of the Element.  Only achieved when you master the spiritual side of that Element.  

AIR

AGILITY:  Heightened sensitivity, speed, and reaction.  

LEVITATION:  Able to float in the air.  

VORTEX:  Able to send air compression blasts at your opponent, similar to a vortex cannon.   

CLOUD:  Able to create a cloud to ride on as seen in LOK and “Journey to the West”.

WATER

ICE:  Able to bend Ice and turn water into Ice.  

HEALING:  Able to energize water for healing purposes.  

PLANT:  Able to bend plants by bending the water in them.  

BLOOD:   Able to bend animals by bending the water in them.

EARTH

SAND:  Able to control earth as sand, dirt, or a granulated state.  

METAL:  Able to bend metal.  

MINERAL:  Able to bend large Crystals.  

LAVA:  Able to bend Lava or earth in a molten state.  

FIRE

FLAME:  Able to alter your flame in fire bending.  Make it hotter = blue fire.  Also includes sensing chi with fire.  

LIGHTNING:  Able to produce or redirect lightning.  

HEAT:  Able to manipulate heat.  

COMBUSTION:  Able to make explosions with firebending such as Combustion Man, or when Zuko failed to learn Lightning bending.