1. In his childhood, James Cameron was a kind of explorer with an 'insatiable sense of curiosity'. He was 'a science geek' according to his own words. He did like to read sci-fi and was often absorbed in a book, in some imaginary worlds, but it seems to me he was rather lonely in the real one. I can hardly imagine that a boy from this mould could be popular with his peers, he's a black sheep as a rule. As for me, I would have been much more pleased with my school life if I had had such a friend, we would have got on with each other perfectly.
2. & 3. The 60s was a period of numerous epoch-making discoveries and achievements, exploring of both depths and heights. Progress influenced world generally and young Cameron in particular. Thanks to Jacques Cousteau shows he knew, that there was a 'rich and exotic' alien world right here on Earth, in the ocean. Thus he decided to become a scuba-diver when he was fifteen. He was as well keen on drawing characters of sci-fi books he read - thus he could give an outlet to his imagination. But diving was something different; it allowed to see 'alien world' de visu.
Personally, I can't say my time influences me greatly, I'd rather say I try to avoid its influence by all means. :) There are some periods I've been verily enraptured with - from crusades up to 1970s - but the time I live in has never impressed me very much. As for important activities, I've had a number of them, but there are a couple of enduring values - reading, writing, learning foreign languages and dreaming, of course.
4. I haven't seen these films and it's very unlikely I will see them sometime. Unfortunately, I can't even watch the trailer up to the end. While working at 'The Abyss', Cameron used computer generated animation, and although the film wasn't very successful, he was inspired with the reaction of the audience. People were mesmerized, because such special effects resembled magic.
5. Although Cameron says, that your imagination can create a reality, it seems to me that he was really captured with the process of exploring. It was really amazing to watch this gray-haired man telling about the expeditions, about the wrecks of Titanic, etc. with such enthusiasm. He looked like a boy playing his favorite game. It seems to me his childhood dreams have come true at last.
6. All these experiments and expeditions helped him to form a philosophical view on life, I think. He’s learned to do something not for money or glory, but for the process as such, for the difficulties to overcome and ‘the thrill of discovery’ to feel (one of the acutest pleasures, to my mind), for the sense of fellowship and mutual respect. There are some Cameron’s statements which are worth taking into consideration:
- curiosity is the most powerful thing you own;
- imagination can manifest a reality;
- the respect of you team is much more important than all the laurels in the world;
- don’t put limitations on yourself and take risks.
These words can be printed out and hung over my desk. And followed, of course. :)
Very well done, indeed
ОтветитьУдалить