Thread: The Matrrix: Si-Fi or pschyco-religious commentry?

Just for you FiReSTaRT

I found this while looking for the origins of the phrase "there is no spoon"

http://www.friesian.com/matrix.htm

OK... if you've read throught that and understood most of it you're doing well.

Firghteningly enough most of the immagery and commentry do make sense.

Even the naming of the characters evokes religious over tones.


(awaits flaying by christian right)

I saw it from a different perspective.. I saw it as a commentary on the modern society -- where people are exploited by soulless corporations, thinking that they're free instead of seeing reality -- where they're just a consumable resource.

I saw a lot of the philosophical/religious undertones when seeing the movie. They were definitely thinking of more that simply making a science fiction film when they wrote this one. Do I agree with the “world view” presented in The Matrix? No, but it makes for an interesting story and food for thought nonetheless.

That said, I never really had a problem with the idea that the reality we see may not be as real as we think it is.

-Michael

Those elements are there, but it's greater than that.

"The Matrix is everywhere. It is all around us. Even now, in this very room. You can see it when you look out your window or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work... when you go to church... when you pay your taxes. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth."

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

I saw it from a different perspective.. I saw it as a commentary on the modern society -- where people are exploited by soulless corporations, thinking that they're free instead of seeing reality -- where they're just a consumable resource.

Exploited? Possibly, but only to the extent that we allow ourselves to be. And, besides, the standard of living to which we in the western world have become accustomed is, largely, due to "soulless" corporations. Imagine if you were to experience sharp chest pain or another serious medical condition. You would be quickly transported to a hospital in a vehicle manufactured by a corporation. At the hospital, many of which receive donations from corporations, you would be treated with medical instruments developed and produced by corporations. The fact that you weren't stuck with the entire hospital bill is because you had bought health insurance (provided by yet another corporation).Even if you hadn't experienced a medical emergency you still eat on a daily basis. Most of us shop at grocery stores owned and operated by corporations. They provide food and other consumer goods that we would otherwise have to produce or procure ourselves. This is fortunate for me as I doubt I'm fast enough to catch squirrels . Then, again... when we're kept fat, dumb and happy we're less likely to question our reality...

Originally Posted by Agamemnon

Exploited? Possibly, but only to the extent that we allow ourselves to be. And, besides, the standard of living to which we in the western world have become accustomed is, largely, due to "soulless" corporations. ...

In the feudal age the nobility was often revered for the same argument. Few would argue for a return to that.

Originally Posted by Agamemnon

Then, again... when we're kept fat, dumb and happy we're less likely to question our reality...

You are wise.

X

This thread is reminding me of the Old Testament account of the children of Israel leaving Egypt. Even after all the miracles and the manna from heaven, etc. Whenever the Israelites were faced with adversity or uncertainty they would invariably say: "Better that we had remained slaves in Egypt than to be brought here to die in the wilderness." Seems that's the common response of the human race in general; To prefer the known no matter how unpleasant to the discomfort and uncertainty of free will. Well, if there is a Matrix (Check out David Ickes book on the subject.) it doesn't seem to take much effort to keep us all imprisoned in it. All we would need is for Mel Brooks to be our king...

A great movie all round.
I took firestarts view to be the ultimate message.
see also.
An Inconvenient Truth
Manufacturing Consent
The corporation
They are less entertaining but essential viewing

And less relevant but excellent : What The Bleep Do We Know

add Jesus Camp to that list heliguy

I think the whole point of the movie was that one pill was a placebo and one pill was Dr. Timothy Leary's special recipe reserve XXX. By taking the right pill with the appropriate psychotropic effect, the characters were able to wander about in a world filled with trailers, morphing figures, radical concepts that make you go "whoahhh!!! DUDE!", and release oneself from the confines of the concrete world that turns out to have been nothing more than an illusion forced upon us from birth. With the power of proper thinking, one can fly, be unaffected by bullets penetrating the body and can be capable of beating the crap out of 100's of incredibly agile and powerful arch villains capable of killing normal people with a single half-hearted blow. Through this process, you find out you are "the one" and your destiny is to save the world. After the effects of the pill wear off, however, the movie is over. Bummer. But there are sequels, so that's cool.