Talk:Energybending/@comment-87.232.1.93-20101030230559

I seem to recall a quote from Dimartino saying that Sokka had some Waterbending ability he never realised it because he doesn't like spiritual things. I'm inclined to think that anyone in a given nation can be taught to bend. I think of it in terms of a talent, say drawing, everyone in our world can draw,to a greater or lesser degree, with help from a teacher. This is why I think all the Air Nomads could bend, better spirituality and teaching methods. Only extremely talented and dedicated people (eg. Katara) can learn on their own. It's possible (in theory) for everyone in the avatar verse to become a bender. This is what makes energybending so incredible. It takes that bending away.

Maybe energy bending can "give" bending, by opening the eyes of non-benders to their own potential.

On the flip side, I really want Aang to restore balance to the airbenders, they are my favourite element. I agree that it is only possible for people (non Avatars) to bend one element only. The energybender can make them into a bender or non bender, but cannot decide which element to they will get(I think). Aang must find someone with latent airbending ability. If your native element is determined by genetics, he must find someone with Air Nomad ancestry (that could be worked into canon, the Nomads traveled by nature and might have been free and easy with their favours). If your native element is determined by your affinity, beliefs or "soul", maybe the North Air Temple crowd have adapted enough Air Nomad beliefs and customs to be converted.

For my last point, I just want to say that I can't believe no one is complaining about the slightly contrived last minute introduction of energybending. It's really a bit of a Deus Ex Machina that eliminates the need for Aang to kill someone. This whole debate came about because the concept isn't properly developed.