The Matrix Explored
December 22, 2016
G.D.O'Bradovich III
1
While living in Indianapolis during the winter of 1999/2000, we were surfing channels and stopped at the scene where Agent Smith was interrogating Morpheus. Upon hearing Agent Smith’s monologue of the machines’ attempt to depict the ideal condition for humanity, we immediately recalled the Garden of Delights and stopped surfing. We have long been aware of our interest in movies and music with Gnostic themes or interpretations. When Rose states that Jack saved her "in every way possible", we know that salvation of the body is only one example of “getting saved”. If most people can only understand the world through sense perception, we now know why the Savior taught in two ways. “Titanic” may be the most explicit depiction of this esoteric imagery, as the setting can be understood to be the primeval watery expanse. Whether or not every audience member understands the possibility of a Gnostic allegory, we cannot say. Continuing with our Gnostic exegesis, we observe that the four funnels of Titanic could represent the four elements, although the fourth funnel was added for appearance and symmetry only; it is not attached to boilers. Towards the end of the movie, Mr. Andrews, the Titanic’s architect, laments that he wished he could have built a better ship for Rose. Mr. Andrews was the overseer, but he did not create the materials for the ship, he utilized pre existing materials. The ship exceeded all existing safety standards, yet because it partook of the material world, it was inherently flawed. Before floundering, Titanic breaks apart, the bow and the stern possibly representing the psychic passengers and the pneumatic crew.
The dialogue of the Architect and Neo confirms our hasty supposition of the Garden of Eden, as suggested in the first film of the Matrix Trilogy. We learn that the initial version of the Matrix had no conflict or struggle and everything was provided, in short, it was the depiction of an ideal world. To represent this ideal world, we presume that the machines has access to centuries of mankind’s writings, wherein man expressed his longing for a better world, either in the world or in the hereafter. The machines duly created a program to express this proposed ideal world as envisioned by the vast majority of mankind. It was not foreseeable that the test subjects would reject an idyllic world. Agent Smith comments that some programs suggested that artificial intelligence lacked the programming ability to create a perfect world for mankind. Agent Smith dismisses this explanation for the initial Matrix’s failure and suggests that humanity defines itself in terms, not of pleasure, but of suffering, not of ease, but of difficulty. If Agent Smith’s observation was completely true, then the second version of the Matrix would have been successful and as computers only understand “either/ or”, the subsequent version of the Matrix was the opposite of paradise: it was hellish. Once again, the human test subjects rejected the programming; they would, to utilize Gnostic phrasing, “wake up”. The machines were now at in impasse in their plan to create an artificial world for mankind: humanity rejected both the ideal world, Paradise, and a nightmare world, Hell. We are told that the solution to the problem was to give humanity the illusion of choice and continuing with our use of terminology from Roman Catholic theology, Purgatory was duly prepared.
This illusion of choice, or the illusion of free will, empowered the test subjects to believe, for the totality of their existence, that they were in control of their lives and destiny, ranging from seemingly important life choices, career and marriage, to the irrelevant, such as the type of creamer for their morning coffee. All the while, the test subject’s ability to make choices reinforced the perceived reality of the Matrix. What was beyond the control of the test subjects would be assigned to fate or chance, good luck, and bad luck. Although this solution of providing the illusion of choice does allow the Matrix to function, there was, and would always be, a minority, approximately one percent of subjects, who consistently rejected this scenario. This minority “knew”, or felt, that something was “wrong”, or if not wrong, then not quite right, with the universe. Although born into the Matrix and given the freedom to make choices for their entire lives, this minority would question the world as they grew and matured. If this questioning, and presumably vocal, minority were allowed to promote their views, other subjects may resist the premise of the Matrix. With an increasing number, and percentage, of subjects rejecting the programming, Matrix 3.0 would eventually crash. Therefore, those who rejected the programming of the Matrix would be allowed to leave. We observe that at the end of the Trilogy, those wishing to leave the Matrix would be allowed to leave. However, individuals were previously allowed to leave the Matrix, we cite Neo and Morpheus as individuals who left the Matrix. Therefore, the Architect grants a concession to the Oracle that was a feature of the Matrix. Unlike Neo and the Kid, we suggest that future dissatisfied individuals, or unsatisfied customers, will not be hindered by agents.
We make a general observation that while Neo is inquisitive and well read, he may not be very perceptive. We see Neo transported from earth, through the starry firmament, and finally encounters a bearded man overseeing the cosmos. Judging by Neo’s look of confusion, he does not know who this person is, nor does the audience, and he inquires. However, since the location and depiction of the architect is consistent with various mythologies, we would like to believe that Neo understands this nearly universal image as Jupiter, Kronos, Jehovah, or possibly, the Great Architect of the Universe. As Neo is not certain of the identity of this person, and is unwilling to make an assumption based entirely upon an ambiguous appearance, he asks.
The dialogue of the Architect and Neo confirms our hasty supposition of the Garden of Eden, as suggested in the first film of the Matrix Trilogy. We learn that the initial version of the Matrix had no conflict or struggle and everything was provided, in short, it was the depiction of an ideal world. To represent this ideal world, we presume that the machines has access to centuries of mankind’s writings, wherein man expressed his longing for a better world, either in the world or in the hereafter. The machines duly created a program to express this proposed ideal world as envisioned by the vast majority of mankind. It was not foreseeable that the test subjects would reject an idyllic world. Agent Smith comments that some programs suggested that artificial intelligence lacked the programming ability to create a perfect world for mankind. Agent Smith dismisses this explanation for the initial Matrix’s failure and suggests that humanity defines itself in terms, not of pleasure, but of suffering, not of ease, but of difficulty. If Agent Smith’s observation was completely true, then the second version of the Matrix would have been successful and as computers only understand “either/ or”, the subsequent version of the Matrix was the opposite of paradise: it was hellish. Once again, the human test subjects rejected the programming; they would, to utilize Gnostic phrasing, “wake up”. The machines were now at in impasse in their plan to create an artificial world for mankind: humanity rejected both the ideal world, Paradise, and a nightmare world, Hell. We are told that the solution to the problem was to give humanity the illusion of choice and continuing with our use of terminology from Roman Catholic theology, Purgatory was duly prepared.
This illusion of choice, or the illusion of free will, empowered the test subjects to believe, for the totality of their existence, that they were in control of their lives and destiny, ranging from seemingly important life choices, career and marriage, to the irrelevant, such as the type of creamer for their morning coffee. All the while, the test subject’s ability to make choices reinforced the perceived reality of the Matrix. What was beyond the control of the test subjects would be assigned to fate or chance, good luck, and bad luck. Although this solution of providing the illusion of choice does allow the Matrix to function, there was, and would always be, a minority, approximately one percent of subjects, who consistently rejected this scenario. This minority “knew”, or felt, that something was “wrong”, or if not wrong, then not quite right, with the universe. Although born into the Matrix and given the freedom to make choices for their entire lives, this minority would question the world as they grew and matured. If this questioning, and presumably vocal, minority were allowed to promote their views, other subjects may resist the premise of the Matrix. With an increasing number, and percentage, of subjects rejecting the programming, Matrix 3.0 would eventually crash. Therefore, those who rejected the programming of the Matrix would be allowed to leave. We observe that at the end of the Trilogy, those wishing to leave the Matrix would be allowed to leave. However, individuals were previously allowed to leave the Matrix, we cite Neo and Morpheus as individuals who left the Matrix. Therefore, the Architect grants a concession to the Oracle that was a feature of the Matrix. Unlike Neo and the Kid, we suggest that future dissatisfied individuals, or unsatisfied customers, will not be hindered by agents.
We make a general observation that while Neo is inquisitive and well read, he may not be very perceptive. We see Neo transported from earth, through the starry firmament, and finally encounters a bearded man overseeing the cosmos. Judging by Neo’s look of confusion, he does not know who this person is, nor does the audience, and he inquires. However, since the location and depiction of the architect is consistent with various mythologies, we would like to believe that Neo understands this nearly universal image as Jupiter, Kronos, Jehovah, or possibly, the Great Architect of the Universe. As Neo is not certain of the identity of this person, and is unwilling to make an assumption based entirely upon an ambiguous appearance, he asks.
2
The Merovingian is dismissive of the suggestion that everything begins with choice. We presume that he also has a poor, although an informed, opinion of free will. The Merovingian understands events in the world as originating in cause and resulting in an effect and he explicitly states that choice is the illusion between those who have power and those who do not have power. This ideological premise may explain why the Merovingian traffics in one commodity: information. It seems that the Merovingian is the embodiment of the conventional wisdom that is related as “knowledge is power”. We suggest that the Merovingian may be a modern day example of allowing despicable characters, or villains, to state terrible truths. When one considers the combined amount of “screen time”, both the Merovingian and the Architect are more intriguing than the main cast and, more importantly, they propel the storyline. For all the adventures and action sequences in the trilogy, Neo, Trinity and Morpheus are reacting to events and this almost consistent behavior may lend credence to the Merovingian’s dismissal that everything begins with choice.
The Merovingian and the heroes know the Matrix is artificial, yet how each person, or program, applies this fact is informative. If the Merovingian were to debate Neo on the merit of choice, then we would expect opinions to be overthrown, that is, Neo’s opinions, not the Merovingian’s understanding of one salient fact. The Merovingian correctly understands that Neo, specifically, and all human inhabitants of the Matrix, generally, is the result of both the creation and the successful operation of the Matrix. As far as the viewer is aware, neither Neo nor the humans had a choice as to whether or not they would be “born” into the world of the Matrix; Neo exists, as he is the long awaited “One” of the Matrix.
Yet, for no reason discernible to this researcher, Neo and company now know that they have both choice and free will outside of the Matrix. Since choice and free will exist in the artificial Matrix world, Neo et al have transferred this concept to the real world, Zion, and upon returning to the Matrix, Neo and company are now in the unenviable position of promoting a known falsehood found in the Matrix (choice), presumably becoming real (in Zion), and maintaining its veracity when it (the concept of choice) returns to the Matrix. We now know why the Merovingian is portrayed as a smug “Frenchman”.
Our enjoyment of the Matrix Trilogy may be found in our observation that there is no indication of intentional deception, either from the characters or from the directors, and this fact appeals to our Sagittarian nature. Of course, we realize that the human characters have a tendency to make statements as though they are facts, when they are suppositions. Morpheus suggests that the correct year is one hundred years later than is presented in the Matrix. This conclusion is drawn from the dated plaques found onboard their ships. Morpheus’ dating is wrong, as we learn that this is the sixth version of the Matrix. Morpheus suggests that the machines use the human body for energy, although we would like to believe that the combined computing power of six billion brains is used to control one, or several fusion reactors. The evidence for our suggestion is found in the fact that with some practice, those individuals outside of the program can read the Matrix code. Therefore, we conclude that people in the Matrix do not have full access to the brain's ability.
The Merovingian and the heroes know the Matrix is artificial, yet how each person, or program, applies this fact is informative. If the Merovingian were to debate Neo on the merit of choice, then we would expect opinions to be overthrown, that is, Neo’s opinions, not the Merovingian’s understanding of one salient fact. The Merovingian correctly understands that Neo, specifically, and all human inhabitants of the Matrix, generally, is the result of both the creation and the successful operation of the Matrix. As far as the viewer is aware, neither Neo nor the humans had a choice as to whether or not they would be “born” into the world of the Matrix; Neo exists, as he is the long awaited “One” of the Matrix.
Yet, for no reason discernible to this researcher, Neo and company now know that they have both choice and free will outside of the Matrix. Since choice and free will exist in the artificial Matrix world, Neo et al have transferred this concept to the real world, Zion, and upon returning to the Matrix, Neo and company are now in the unenviable position of promoting a known falsehood found in the Matrix (choice), presumably becoming real (in Zion), and maintaining its veracity when it (the concept of choice) returns to the Matrix. We now know why the Merovingian is portrayed as a smug “Frenchman”.
Our enjoyment of the Matrix Trilogy may be found in our observation that there is no indication of intentional deception, either from the characters or from the directors, and this fact appeals to our Sagittarian nature. Of course, we realize that the human characters have a tendency to make statements as though they are facts, when they are suppositions. Morpheus suggests that the correct year is one hundred years later than is presented in the Matrix. This conclusion is drawn from the dated plaques found onboard their ships. Morpheus’ dating is wrong, as we learn that this is the sixth version of the Matrix. Morpheus suggests that the machines use the human body for energy, although we would like to believe that the combined computing power of six billion brains is used to control one, or several fusion reactors. The evidence for our suggestion is found in the fact that with some practice, those individuals outside of the program can read the Matrix code. Therefore, we conclude that people in the Matrix do not have full access to the brain's ability.
3
We observe that while the programs do not make false statements, it can be said that they do not relate everything they either know or suspect. Clearly, the programs have no concern for the “sin” of omission. The Oracle states that Neo is not the one, and suggests that maybe he is waiting for his next life. This statement is true and the “prophecy” also becomes true, as Neo dies and transforms into the One.
Although we still maintain that the Trilogy incorporates the 78 images from a well known Tarot deck, we also recognize that the updated version of the Matrix is both the product of Plato's city in speech and the application of Socrates’ definition of justice. At the beginning of the Republic, Socrates suggests that justice is giving every man what is due to him, and although this definition is rejected by his companions, the remainder of the Republic consists mainly of restating this definition in various ways.
The updated version of the Matrix provides an environment where ninety nine percent of the subjects willingly accept the program, while the troublesome minority of malcontents are free to leave the Matrix. As Socrates suggested, justice is giving to the individual what each one deserves.
Finally, we suggest that the Matrix Trilogy is similar to research, Occult or otherwise, as the effort exerted is equal to the reward received.
Although we still maintain that the Trilogy incorporates the 78 images from a well known Tarot deck, we also recognize that the updated version of the Matrix is both the product of Plato's city in speech and the application of Socrates’ definition of justice. At the beginning of the Republic, Socrates suggests that justice is giving every man what is due to him, and although this definition is rejected by his companions, the remainder of the Republic consists mainly of restating this definition in various ways.
The updated version of the Matrix provides an environment where ninety nine percent of the subjects willingly accept the program, while the troublesome minority of malcontents are free to leave the Matrix. As Socrates suggested, justice is giving to the individual what each one deserves.
Finally, we suggest that the Matrix Trilogy is similar to research, Occult or otherwise, as the effort exerted is equal to the reward received.