Monday, June 23, 2003

Matrix Reloaded: Assuming everyone buys into the fairly obvious Christian symbolism of both films, ie Neo as Jesus, the name Trinity, Morpheus as John, the prophesy and saving the world, etc etc, what does it say about Christianity that in the end, its all a bunch of bullshit? That the whole prophesy was another level of control? Personally, looking at the history Christianity, especially Catholicism, I have to wonder how much of it is genuine belief, and how much of it is control. Do people believe in Jesus because it makes sense (cause it sure don't make sense to me) or because they are afraid of the threat of hell? What if hell doesn't exist? Morpheus and his followers believed in the prophesy because it offered hope, because for them, it was too scary to not have something to believe in, at least that's the way I see it. I know that you were just waiting for Locke to be proven wrong when Neo saved the day, but that's not how it worked out. Maybe the message is that belief is important, but it must be tempered with rationalism. Councilor Hamin seemed to hit the balance by sending the Nebuchadnezzar (please, forgive me if I'm spelling all of this wrong, I didn't check the WB website) back to the Matrix, saying he didn't think success depended on how many ships they had. He never says anything about believing in the One. Even earlier, he spoke of hoping to understand Neo's purpose before it was too late; obviously, he had doubts about the prophesy. Clearly however, it was fallacy to not understand that Neo's abilities were real, even if they were not for the purpose that Morpheus believed they were. Morpheus and Locke are Faith and Reason, Hamin is the balance, and Neo is a pawn, when it comes down to it, because for all his abilities, his percieved purpose can be bent to the needs of either Faith or Reason. We know what Neo's purpose was, but not what it will be, now that he's chosen a new path. It will be interesting to see how he is used or not by each side in the last installment of this excellent, excellent series. It's late, I know this is becoming increasingly pure bullshit, I'm off to bed...there's more to come though, don't worry.
Here's something to cogitate on: Passing through Burger King, I noticed the big Nutritional Facts sheet posted by the bathroom. Check this thing out the next time you stop for a burger, and do some basic arithmetic, you'll find the Large Double Whopper Value Meal is almost 2000 calories, more if you like mayonaise. May I remind you that 2000 calories is the TOTAL DAILY recommended caloric value for the average American. Now myself, an avid Division 1A athlete, can down two of these meals and go on to dinner in a hour or two, and burn it all off in the next day's workout, but for the rest of the country, people should seriously start considering eating only a Large Double Whopper Value Meal every day. That's it, just that. I checked with a doctor, and while this would not be the ideal diet, you could certainly do much worse. You've got meat and bread, obviously, meaning protein and carbohydrates, you've got token vegetables, if you choose your drink wisely you can cover your hydration needs, and if you like cheeseburgers you get a little dairy. Now I know some of you are rolling your eyes at the concept, and the nutritionists are shouting bloody murder over the idea that the condiments count in food groups, but consider, if that fat tub of lard walking down the street ate only one of these meals every day, and nothing else, would he get fatter? To the contrary, I think he would get thinner, ironic as that may seem. By the way, I never promise that my posts will have any real relevance or meaning, although hopefully a few useful thoughts will make it, sometimes.