Replies

I too think there is a second higher matrix for those who are dissatisfied with the original matrix. I think most of your points are good and valid, but I part paths with you with regards to determinism.

Whether Neo realizes it or not, when he chooses the door to go back and save Trinity, he is making a claim to the fact that even in a determined universe humans still have the freedom to choose.

If the W brothers are going to waste time with 19th century Newtonian determinism they are not nearly as well versed in philosophy as I had previousely thought. However, I do not believe they believe this.

I too believe the architect may have been lying, but if he lied about one thing, then why are we to believe he is telling the truth about anything else? We can't pick and choose his lies. If he is going to trick Neo, he

1) Has to make him feel not special
2) Has to make it look like a fatalistic choice
3) Has to demoralize him when it looks like Neo is going to make the choice that the architect does not want him to.

Also, after seeing the movie a second time, I am still not convinced the oracle is evil (the architect is a liar, I think we could agree).
During the conversation with Neo the second time I saw it, I picked up on a few lines that I didnt notice before

The oracle admits that Neo has to trust her.

The oracle asks Neo if he saw Trinity dying. Neo promptly says no and the oracle looks a bit shocked.

Then the oracle says that the choice has already been made whether or not Neo is going to let Trinity die. He only needs to understand why.

Finally, at the end, The oracle notes that she is now a believer that he is the one, whereas previousely she was not.

In the last movie, the oracle said he was not the one, noting implicitly that Neo did not lead the "examined life" (know thyself).

The oracle, I think, realizes that Neo is now examining his life and trying to understand the why. The previous 5 one's dd not do such a thing and thus became a tool for the architect.

Hence, Neo has the capability of coming to the true reality that the other 5 "pawns" were not capable of doing previousely.

The W brothers are deeper than simple newtonian determinism.

In reply at this point

I'm not even sure Neo is not a specialized computer program. I still think the main computer is relying on the fact Neo believes Zion is the real world. Thus neither decision that Neo can make is correct based on his erroneous assumption and that regardless of the choice the matrix will survive. The fact that the Main computer told Neo that the computers would accept a different level of existence is a lie. In fact I'm not certain at this point that the Matrix is anything like what we have been told in the two movies. For instance if we all agree that Zion is a second matrix then the Real world may not be anything like what the Main computer creates in Zion.

Here is a second theory I have.

Neo is a sixth generation computer program NEO6.1 The matrix itself is a computer environment created to simulate the human world for it's one true occupant the NEO program. Why? Human programmers seeking to create the ultimate hacking tool sometime in the future, programmers seeking to create the first truly independent and sentient program, there are a hundred reasons thus you have, NEO.

"The oracle asks Neo if he saw Trinity dying. Neo promptly says no and the oracle looks a bit shocked.
Then the oracle says that the choice has already been made whether or not Neo is going to let Trinity die. He only needs to understand why.
Finally, at the end, The oracle notes that she is now a believer that he is the one, whereas previousely she was not.

In the last movie, the oracle said he was not the one, noting implicitly that Neo did not lead the "examined life" (know thyself)."

At the time the Oracle talks with Neo and tells him he's not the one, he is not yet in love with Trinity. She tells him that "being the one is like being in love" or something like that.
IMHO, That is the difference between him and the other 6 and the reason he isn't a program.

Or... maybe it's the reason he is such a special program, because he's an AI that learned to love in the same way that his counterpart, Agent Smith, is learning to hate.

Just grasping at straws here...