do you really know what’s going on?

well let me tell you.

No one is freed, they’re all just in another program like the matrix.

I think it’s easy to be fooled by the reiterations that occur in Reloaded for one to assume that the ultimate question is whether we have free will and if we do, to what extent?

This is a valid question, no doubt, but the deeper issue, I think comes back to the paradigm of truth. Neo suggests that perhaps the question is simply why.

I have to disagree…i would go just a little bit deeper and wonder if real “control” comes from the understanding that ultimately things are out of our control.

Neo knows that he can’t save the people of Zion. He says that when that Architect tells him this he really believes it. Neo also knows that he can gamble with the specifics. He chooses to save Trinity and possibly the crew of his ship—even for the time being. In the end he does BUY the time (like six more months—november right?)

i am still pondering the oracle’s comment about understanding the choices—unless she meant understanding the very NATURE of choice, as i just explained.

Additionally, you make some interesting criticisms of the other “programs” in the Matrix, that don’t really follow the line of thought of the movie…

Persephone explains why the two Thugs are still around (“They’re from an earlier version of the Matrix and they’re stronger. The problem was they were also more likely to cause trouble).

This brings us back to what harmony means for the matrix. The architect explained that the only thing that messes up the equation is the differential around choice. The programs have to be kept in a system of checks so that they don’t have enough power to make choices.

my random thought—- Where does the Architect fit into this series of programs. If the machines are running the world, isn’t he a program too? And if he is—how is he more or less right than the oracle?

I think it’s easy to be fooled by the reiterations that occur in Reloaded for one to assume that the ultimate question is whether we have free will and if we do, to what extent?

This is a valid question, no doubt, but the deeper issue, I think comes back to the paradigm of truth. Neo suggests that perhaps the question is simply why.

I have to disagree…i would go just a little bit deeper and wonder if real “control” comes from the understanding that ultimately things are out of our control.

Neo knows that he can’t save the people of Zion. He says that when that Architect tells him this he really believes it. Neo also knows that he can gamble with the specifics. He chooses to save Trinity and possibly the crew of his ship—even for the time being. In the end he does BUY the time (like six more months—november right?)

i am still pondering the oracle’s comment about understanding the choices—unless she meant understanding the very NATURE of choice, as i just explained.

Additionally, you make some interesting criticisms of the other “programs” in the Matrix, that don’t really follow the line of thought of the movie…

Persephone explains why the two Thugs are still around (“They’re from an earlier version of the Matrix and they’re stronger. The problem was they were also more likely to cause trouble).

This brings us back to what harmony means for the matrix. The architect explained that the only thing that messes up the equation is the differential around choice. The programs have to be kept in a system of checks so that they don’t have enough power to make choices.

my random thought—- Where does the Architect fit into this series of programs. If the machines are running the world, isn’t he a program too? And if he is—how is he more or less right than the oracle?

I can see this second movie with the
reloading of the Matrix with the ‘holding pen’ of Zion as an early configruation in the MAtrix software.

But if Neo goes ‘False’ .. you are out of the while loop .. and the software end .. and I have no idea what happens
for the next 6 months!

Of interest also is that I feel that the external iteration of ‘Zion’ is also a simulation or control software derived by ‘Oracle’ for the malcontents. This is demonstrated by the realization, by Neo, that he can also effect the Zion simulation.

Where does this end .. crickey, I have no idea!

Foobar

What I find myself pondering after the movie is what’s the true nature of the Oracle? Is she really on Neo’s side or she just doing what she was created to do? Herd the One to the envitable conclusion? Was her whole exposition about “You’ve already made the choice, now you must understand why you made it.” another part of her doing what’s she’s supposed to? Interesting stuff…can’t wait for Revolutions!

My only serious criticism of the movie is that I don’t think the brothers W are particularly good with large casts. The editing and directing in Reloaded is not as crisp and tight as the first flick or Bound. It’s sort of like they’ve overreached themselves.

Those are both good links. Kottke doesn’t have much interesting stuff to say (I find he rarely does…) but the comments have some good discussion.

The transcript is cool too, it clarifies a few things I had picked up on already, like the ambiguity when Neo asks if The Oracle is the ‘mother’ the architect is talking about. The Architect snorts and says ‘please..’ like Neo’s statement is ridiculous. But is it ridiculous because the oracle can’t possibly be the mother? Or is it ridiculous because the name ‘Oracle’ is a silly name to give to what the Architect sees as just another program, a program he seems to resent a bit.