LogFAQs > #884610568

The idea of a virtual reality network based on a fantasy or reality is a cool concept no doubt. As is jacking yourself (ahem) into the network. But after watching The Matrix trilogy I've got a realization: the idea of "the mind makes it real" is stupid. Subconciously, we are able to experience things and replicate the feeling of events, emotions, and feelings in our mind, but the biggest flaw with that logic is just that: experiencing it first. When you have something in the program that can simulate danger or death, well one, it's flawed already because why would anyone use a program that could kill them? And two: how would you simulate something like that to a person who hasn't experienced such feelings? How would we replicate the feeling of drowning, being shot, getting cut in half, set on fire, etc. if that has never happen to us? How does your body even nurologically submit signals to your brain saying you got shot, if you've never been shot and are not getting shot IRL? It's a similar case with dreams. There are dreams where we're falling or drowning, but there isn't any mortal danger since it is literally all in the mind. Even if the sensation of mortal danger is too much, we have a fail-safe of waking ourselves up after realizing it is a dream. Which leads me to my next problem...

The Redpilled users of The Matrix know this is a simulation, and know that they can see/do far more than the average "plugged-in" person. They're able to run on walls and have improbable aim with their guns. That's not even getting into the borderline Superman shit Neo can do, who clearly broke every system limitation that the Matrix had. The One is another case altogether, but going back to my point: in a world where they can manipulate the rules to do superhuman feats, why would death be any concern to them? Why would bullets, explosions, Agents, etc, be any threat? And before anyone says "It's how the Matrix operates" the Matrix is the end, is a program, ergo can still be influenced by human design. And keep in mind the first movie made it obvious that the program can be manipulated to an extent. Who'se to say somebody couldn't rework the code to make bullets obsolete? In a sense they are since Neo can dodge them with lightning-fast reflexes, but then again, they could be reworked to feel like tickles or mosiquto bites if they actually hit you anyway.

And speaking of Neo: while the trilogy made no effort to be subtle with the Jesus allegories, I don't really see, outside of the prophecy of course, what makes him the One. It can't be the feats he's done in the Matrix because it isn't like dodging bullets and supersonic flight is exclusive to him. Anyone could, given sufficient training and manipulation of the code, pull off the stuff Neo did in the Matrix. The feats outside of it, like destroying the machines are another thing, but why haven't other Redpilled users abused the Matrix to Neo's level? They even act surprised when he dodged bullets and fought off three Agents at once as if such feats are impossible and have never been done before. Which would be believable if it weren't for a.) again, the first movie's message. (There is no spoon), and b.) the fact that there were previous Ones before Neo, so if anything the users should've been trying to learn and replicate the way Neo abused the system.

tl,dr: Virtual Reality "death", and the Matrix (the entire trilogy, not just the sequels) is stupid as he'll.
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Ni hao! Official Hsien-Ko of the MvCI board.