[lit-ideas] Re: Decisions, decisions

  • From: Chris Bruce <bruce@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2004 08:48:49 +0200

Re:

"Neo becomes the Uebermensch of the Matrix. Big deal. Meanwhile=20
countless millions remain imprisoned in their gel-pack sleep pods. At=20
the end of Matrix 1, Neo, at most, gets control of the propaganda arm=20
of the state.

"The real instrument of oppression continues without a hitch. No=20
raiding parties to destroy the sleep pods, folks, just a lot of flying=20=

around and fancy talk. So much like the Sixties."

For me, it's worse than that.

Recall that when one dies in the ('dreams' generated by the) Matrix,=20
one dies in 'real' life.  Therefore all of those (almost countless)=20
soldiers, policemen *and* bystanders killed by the activities of=20
Morpheus, Neo, et al. in the Matrix have human 'counterparts' who die=20
in their 'sleep pods'.  This moral dilemma is addressed in the movie -=20=

with a line something like "Whoever isn't with us is an enemy."  And=20
only the 'chosen few' are 'with' Morpheus and Neo (and, as has been=20
pointed out, only a very select few are given the choice - most are=20
considered unfit for the struggle for - and presumably life in - New=20
Zion).  These may be - and are, in large numbers - 'blown away' without=20=

further thought.

Recall the mix of pseudo-religion and militarism that pervades=20
especially the second film.  One isn't to rely on reason and=20
argumentation - just believe in the right person.  Recall the orgy=20
scene in the second of the Matrix films - just let yourself loose and=20
'go with the flow'.  (Some 'former' [allegedly] leading neo-nazis here=20=

in Germany claim now to be 'apolitical' and became big fans of the=20
'rave' scene: 'don't think, just feel'; among other things, one with=20
the crowd - 'Kraft durch Freude' indeed.)  The leaders and military=20
commanders with the correct belief will do the right thing - and win no=20=

matter what the odds =85.

It disturbed me very much to hear the actors from the film commenting=20
in a documentary about how what they were working on was something that=20=

they could really believe in.

There is a word for that sort of social/political organization =85.

So much like the Thirties and Forties.

Chris Bruce
Kiel, Germany
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