Born in Bondage

Some more philosophy from the movie, The Matrix.    

Agent Smith: Did you know that the first Matrix was designed to be a perfect human world? Where none suffered, where everyone would be happy. It was a disaster. No one would accept the program. Entire crops were lost. Some believed we lacked the programming language to describe your perfect world. But I believe that, as a species, human beings define their reality through suffering and misery. The perfect world was a dream that your primitive cerebrum kept trying to wake up from. Which is why the Matrix was redesigned to this: the peak of your civilization.

One thing that nobody seems to have mentioned (though its not surprising) is the underlying Buddhist theory behind The Matrix. When Mr. Smith, one of the agents, is describing the evolution of The Matrix, he mentions a prior version. One in which all suffering and pain cease to exist. All of humanity was "living" in a perfect world devoid of unhappiness. The odd part, he says, is that it failed. Mr. Smith's theory is that suffering define's human experience. This is a parallel to the buddhist notion of suffering. From The Art of Happiness, "Within a Buddhist context, when one reflects on the fact that one's ordinary day-to-day existence is characterized by suffering, this serves to encourage one to engage in the practices that will eliminate the root causes of one's suffering." Taking this concept further, we find that the true goal of life is to, in fact, eliminate suffering (in the Buddhist context). With no suffering to eliminate, the mind has nothing to do. It cannot define the passage of time (think about it, only when suffering do we keep track of time), and has nothing to work on (self-improvement, etc). If there is nothing to do, the mind would quickly rot away (again in Buddhist context) and probably die. Sound like Mr. Smith's speech?

Twelve Angry Men

Watched this must-see 1957 Black and White movie recently. The story was superbly built, and it sure is one of my favorites now. Here is one of the funny dialogues.

Juror #10: Bright? He's a common ignorant slob. He don't even speak good English.
Juror #11: Doesn't even speak good English.

Matrix Reloaded - Neo's Conversation with the Architect

The following is an interesting and long conversation between Neo and the Architect in The Matrix Reloaded. Started watching Ultimate Matrix Collection, again. Some of the commentaries by Ken Wilber and Cornel West are excellent, but most of them are boring trite remarks.

The Architect: "Hello, Neo."

Neo: "Who are you?"

The Architect: "I am the Architect. I created the matrix. I've been waiting for you. You have many questions, and although the process has altered your consciousness, you remain irrevocably human. Ergo, some of my answers you will understand, and some of them you will not. Concordantly, while your first question may be the most pertinent, you may or may not realize it is also the most irrelevant."

Neo: "Why am I here?"

The Architect: "Your life is the sum of a remainder of an unbalanced equation inherent to the programming of the matrix. You are the eventuality of an anomaly, which despite my sincerest efforts I have been unable to eliminate from what is otherwise a harmony of mathematical precision. While it remains a burden assiduously avoided, it is not unexpected, and thus not beyond a measure of control. Which has led you, inexorably, here."

Neo: "You haven't answered my question."

The Architect: "Quite right. Interesting. That was quicker than the others."

(The responses of the other Ones appear on the monitors: "Others? What others? How many? Answer me!")

The Architect: "The matrix is older than you know. I prefer counting from the emergence of one integral anomaly to the emergence of the next, in which case this is the sixth version."

(Again, the responses of the other Ones appear on the monitors: "Five versions? Three? I've been lied too. This is bullshit.")

Neo: "There are only two possible explanations: either no one told me, or no one knows."

The Architect: "Precisely. As you are undoubtedly gathering, the anomaly's systemic, creating fluctuations in even the most simplistic equations."

(Once again, the responses of the other Ones appear on the monitors: "You can't control me! F you! I'm going to kill you! You can't make me do anything!")

Neo: "Choice. The problem is choice."

(The scene cuts to Trinity fighting an agent, and then back to the Architect's room)

The Architect: "The first matrix I designed was quite naturally perfect, it was a work of art, flawless, sublime. A triumph equaled only by its monumental failure. The inevitability of its doom is as apparent to me now as a consequence of the imperfection inherent in every human being, thus I redesigned it based on your history to more accurately reflect the varying grotesqueries of your nature. However, I was again frustrated by failure. I have since come to understand that the answer eluded me because it required a lesser mind, or perhaps a mind less bound by the parameters of perfection. Thus, the answer was stumbled upon by another, an intuitive program, initially created to investigate certain aspects of the human psyche. If I am the father of the matrix, she would undoubtedly be its mother."

Neo: "The Oracle."

The Architect: "Please." (Sarcasticly?)

The Architect: "As I was saying, she stumbled upon a solution whereby nearly 99.9% of all test subjects accepted the program, as long as they were given a choice, even if they were only aware of the choice at a near unconscious level. While this answer functioned, it was obviously fundamentally flawed, thus creating the otherwise contradictory systemic anomaly, that if left unchecked might threaten the system itself. Ergo, those that refused the program, while a minority, if unchecked, would constitute an escalating probability of disaster."

Neo: "This is about Zion."

The Architect: "You are here because Zion is about to be destroyed. Its every living inhabitant terminated, its entire existence eradicated."

Neo: "Bullshit."

(The responses of the other Ones appear on the monitors: "Bullshit!")

The Architect: "Denial is the most predictable of all human responses. But, rest assured, this will be the sixth time we have destroyed it, and we have become exceedingly efficient at it."

(Scene cuts to Trinity fighting an agent, and then back to the Architects room.)

The Architect: "The function of the One is now to return to the source, allowing a temporary dissemination of the code you carry, reinserting the prime program. After which you will be required to select from the matrix 23 individuals, 16 female, 7 male, to rebuild Zion. Failure to comply with this process will result in a cataclysmic system crash killing everyone connected to the matrix, which coupled with the extermination of Zion will ultimately result in the extinction of the entire human race."

Neo: "You won't let it happen, you can't. You need human beings to survive."

The Architect: "There are levels of survival we are prepared to accept. However, the relevant issue is whether or not you are ready to accept the responsibility for the death of every human being in this world."

(The Architect presses a button on a pen that he is holding, and images of people from all over the matrix appear on the monitors)

The Architect: "It is interesting reading your reactions. Your five predecessors were by design based on a similar predication, a contingent affirmation that was meant to create a profound attachment to the rest of your species, facilitating the function of the one. While the others experienced this in a very general way, your experience is far more specific. Vis-a-vis, love."

(Images of Trinity fighting the agent from Neo's dream appear on the monitors)

Neo: "Trinity."

The Architect: "Apropos, she entered the matrix to save your life at the cost of her own."

Neo: "No!"

The Architect: "Which brings us at last to the moment of truth, wherein the fundamental flaw is ultimately expressed, and the anomaly revealed as both beginning, and end. There are two doors. The door to your right leads to the source, and the salvation of Zion. The door to the left leads back to the matrix, to her, and to the end of your species. As you adequately put, the problem is choice. But we already know what you're going to do, don't we? Already I can see the chain reaction, the chemical precursors that signal the onset of emotion, designed specifically to overwhelm logic, and reason. An emotion that is already blinding you from the simple, and obvious truth: she is going to die, and there is nothing that you can do to stop it."

(Neo walks to the door on his left)

The Architect: "Humph. Hope, it is the quintessential human delusion, simultaneously the source of your greatest strength, and your greatest weakness."

Neo: "If I were you, I would hope that we don't meet again."

The Architect: "We won't."

Paint Your Wagon

Today, enjoyed the movie Paint Your Wagon (1969) and some of the lyrics in this musical. Here are some quotes I liked from this movie.

Conversation between Mrs. Fenty (religious) and Ben (a drunkard)

Mrs. Fenty: You should read the Bible, Mr. Rumson.
Ben Rumson: I have read the Bible, Mrs. Fenty.
Mrs. Fenty: Didn't that discourage you about drinking?
Ben Rumson: No, but it sure killed my appetite for readin'!

Pardner: Ben, how's married life?
Ben Rumson: Pardner, it was so good that I forgot that I was married.

Horton: Mr. Rumson, I swore I wouldn't tell anyone. I hope that means except my father and mother.
Ben Rumson: That means especially your father and mother.
Horton: But I've never kept anything from them before.
Ben Rumson: Well, it's time you started. Because when you do, a whole new world opens up.

While a Parson was chiding the citizens of No Name City for their vices:

Parson: Ye godless jaspers! Who are ya? Freemasons? Rosicrucians? Heathen emissaries from the depths of Babylon? Boozers! Gluttons! Gamblers! Fornicators!
Steve Bull: Whassa fornicator?
Haywood Holbrook: I dunno. I ain't a religious man.

Finally, the lyrics of the song, the first thing you know (liked the pun with "arson"):

God made the mountains
God made the sky
God made the people
God knows why

He fixed up the planet
As best as He could
Then in come the people
And gum it up good

The first thing you know

They civilized the foothills
And every weary put hills
The mountains and valley below
They come along and take 'em

And civilize and make 'em
A place where no civilized
Person would go

The first thing you know
The first thing you know

They civilize what's pretty
By puttin' up a city
Where nothin' that's
Pretty can grow

They muddy up the winter
And civilize it, into a place
Too uncivilized
Even for snow

The first thing you know

They civilize left
They civilize right
Till nothing is left
Till nothing is right

They civilize freedom
Till no one is free
No one except
By coincidence, me

The first thing you know
The boozer's in prison
And the criminally isn't

And only the rascals have gone

When I see a parson
I gotta put my arson in
A wagon that follows the tail of a crow

The first thing you know
I pick up a growl
The first thing you know

Interesting Videos

Here is some information on a few videos I watched recently.

Shaolin Wheel of Life (2001) - It is a great martial arts show (it's not a movie). I would say, a must see. I was fascinated to see this wonderful demonstration of mind over matter.

The Breakfast Club (1985) - Movie for teens (I guess), good for watching once.

Five high school students, all different stereotypes, meet in detention, where they pour their hearts out to each other, and discover how they have a lot more in common than they thought.
John Bender: Excuse me a sec. What are you babbling about?
Brian Johnson: Well, what I had said was I'm in the math club, uh, the latin, and the physics club... physics club.
John Bender: Hey, Cherry. Do you belong to the physics club?
Claire Standish: That's an academic club.
John Bender: So?
Claire Standish: So academic clubs aren't the same as other kinds of clubs.
John Bender: Ah... but to dorks like him, they are. What do you guys do in your club?
Brian Johnson: Well, in physics we... we talk about physics, properties of physics.
John Bender: So it's sorta social, demented and sad, but social. Right?

Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World (2006)

To improve its relations with Muslim countries, the United States government sends comedian Albert Brooks to south Asia to write a report on what makes followers of Islam laugh.

Majeed: I was the funniest one in school... and the funniest one in explosives training.

Hilarious! Loved the background voices from the call center next to Al Brooks' office in New Delhi (like, "White House, may I help you?").

Double Indemnity (1944) - A drama involving insurance fraud. Fast moving, enjoyable, some funny dialogues. Enjoyed the movie a lot.

[Norton, Keyes's boss, has just tried, unsuccessfully, to convince a client that her husband's death was a suicide]

Barton Keyes: You know, you, uh, oughta take a look at the statistics on suicide some time. You might learn a little something about the insurance business.

Edward S. Norton: Mister Keyes, I was RAISED in the insurance business.

Barton Keyes: Yeah, in the front office. Come now, you've never read an actuarial table in your life, have you? Why they've got ten volumes on suicide alone. Suicide by race, by color, by occupation, by sex, by seasons of the year, by time of day. Suicide, how committed: by poison, by firearms, by drowning, by leaps. Suicide by poison, subdivided by TYPES of poison, such as corrosive, irritant, systemic, gaseous, narcotic, alkaloid, protein, and so forth. Suicide by leaps, subdivided by leaps from high places, under the wheels of trains, under the wheels of trucks, under the feet of horses, from STEAMBOATS. But, Mr. Norton: Of all the cases on record, there's not one single case of suicide by leap from the rear end of a moving train. And you know how fast that train was going at the point where the body was found? Fifteen miles an hour. Now how can anybody jump off a slow-moving train like that with any kind of expectation that he would kill himself? No, no soap, Mr. Norton. We're sunk, and we'll have to pay through the nose, and you know it.

Casino Royale (2006)- Enjoyed the running chase action scene.

James Bond: Vodka-martini.
Bartender: Shaken or stirred?
James Bond: Do I look like I give a damn?

Glad to note that they (probably) realized that predictability is not a virtue, and got out of that "shaken but not stirred" nonsense (at least for once).