»The Anti-One- Comprehensive theories and explanations«

This thread is meant to be a culmination of the different theories about the Anti-One which have surfaced in the past. I know we have all discussed this at some point or another in the past. But I myself have not had the chance to post all my thoughts and explanations on this together at one place. It might be the same with some others. Either way, this is a good opportunity to present your opinions and explanations and questions. So please, join in.

We all know the question- Were there anti-Ones in all the previous cycles?

Now some believe that Neo's version is the first version where an Anti-One has emerged. I disagree with this.

Others like me and [I think] AzarN think the anti-One emerged in every version.

Even some others believe that the anti-One was created deliberately by the machines/Architect in each version to coerce the One into reloading (Mobil Ave for instance).

This is what I believe-

I believe that it is a natural reaction of the system to create the Anti-One. It is exactly how the Oracle stated it. Smith is the `result of the equation trying to balance itself out'. When extracting technical details and theories, we must not forget the rules of the system; the rules which govern the programming of the Matrix.

So one of the rules is that the system will try to balance everything out, and then unbalance, and then balance again, right? Smith is the result of the equation trying to balance itself out from the unbalance which has occured because of Neo. This is why he is his opposite. I further believe that this process took place in every version. For every One, there was an Anti-One.

But I do not believe that the machines created the anti-One on purpose. Even if they had the reasons for doing it, I believe it is out of their power to do it. Just like it was out of their power to stop Neo's emergence, it is out of their power to stop Smith's emergence. However, they can try to control them both.

In a previous thread, I stated this:

Quote:

They cannot stop the One from emerging and they cannot stop the negative One from emerging as well. It is based on the rules of the system, on the rules of mathematics. But they can try to control both Neo and Smith.

So, whattya say?

I like it, pretty cohesive... I'm extremely glad to see that more and more people are agreeing that the anomaly and it's effect on the program is not something the machines would create nor can create. It just makes more sense to view it that way. Why else would the agents react towards Smith as do?

Akshat, I agree and disagree all at the same time. I'll try to explain a little. I believe for every cycle there has been a chance for an anti-one. In M1 we see Agent Smith acts different than the other agents; he takes it more personal, he acts more irrational. But he didn't emerge as the anti-one until after he witnessed something he 'knew' was impossible, his own death. In this theory, for every cycle there was someone like Agent Smith(maybe not always an agent) who was a perfect candidate to become the anti-one, but didnt.

I also like your theory as well and see how it is possible. BTW, I agree the machines did not create the anti-One.

I agree, yet disagree. What you said I don't think is the case. I think Neo
is a special one. You could start with this: Morphius got Neo out even though his "mind had reached a certain age" no one seemed to believe Morphius that Neo was the one until he stopped the bullets, heck, the oracle
even said "you got the gift, but it seems that you're waiting for something"
When you get out of the matrix your mind is freed, so it could be that Neo
chose to be the one, but in a human way, not the way the machines intended. Hence Neo fooling the architect in the white room. Niobe doesn't
even believe in the one. The one could be purely a machine train of thought, so to speak. Humans are human, what does the one have to do with that. Plus Neo died, but was brought back to life through a real world kiss. He must have chosen to be the one, but different, confusing the machines. To get back to the topic, I think Smith was a reaction to the machines not knowing what to do, trying to balance the equation based on a
lie that neo was the one, he didn't come from the source. Hence Smith's ramblings and weird behavior. What could the machines have done about the copying? Obviously there is more. anyone have any more thought?

It seems that the Oracle is responsible for many things - as for the "last version" of the "resurrected Smith" - "You risked too much this time" - the Arch at the end of Rev

This could mean she was also involved in the process of putting Neo and Smith in the same path -

"You trully do not know someone untill you fight them"

"He's you, your Opposite, your negative"

"Temet Nosce"...

So, yes, we could think that, the path of the One needs an "anti-One", a mirror that alouds the One to know his true nature, his power, the extent of it and it's true source - the Source...

But, in previous versions things were "Not exactly" as they were now...

The one had some characteristics he had not before - the profound atachement to human kind was transformed in the atachement to Trinity - vis a vis - love...

And we could think our old lady has something to do with it - remember that first cookie on M1 ?

"Cookies need love, as everything does"...

This time, the Oracle forced the match by alouding Smith to take over her shell (not over her "essence");

Smith was empowered with the "memories" of things the Oracle "saw" when some options were taken - back in the moment when she alouded Smith to take her...

"I've seen this BEFORE"
"This is it, this is the end!"

But Smith couldn't have seen the last choice of Neo - cause it only happened AFTER the Oracle's quote "Everything that has a beginning has an end, Neo"...

OOps, sorry, out of topic now...

But yes, seems that the "anti one" is needed to reveal the path of the One, though this last "One" and the "anti one" seems trully different from the previous versions (as well as the final result of their struggle - Zion remained, no 23 individuals were chosen...);

Oh!, by the way:

23=5
16 (male)=7 & 7 female, are 7+7=14
14=5... gematry

101=5 (binary)

5 seems to be the icon of the one...

Smith: That went as expected.
Smith 2: Yes.
Smith: It's happening exactly as before.
Smith 2: Well, not exactly.

I think this is one of the most direct clues that Smith has happened b4.

Smith is described as part of the One himself, part of it’s equation.

'It is purpose that created us, that binds us, defines us etc.'

'Without purpose we would not exist.'

So for us the viewer it is of great importance to understand the purpose of this integral anomaly, this emergence, this ‘One’ representing all.

There’s nothing that really suggests any of it is planned/controlled etc, just expected and anticipated.

When we realise as Neo began to, just who Smith really is, we’ll come to understand his inevitability and how he may return as the path continues

Right....I guess people agree with me on this one. Thanks guys. Anyone else want to share their opinion.

Oh yea....one more thing. I was looking at an earlier thread where we discussed the anti-One and I saw Mobil's comments. He said that he sort of agrees with me even though his original opinion was that the anti-One was purposefully created. Have you changed your mind, Mobil? Let me know.

Also Oscar said something about the Oracle creating Smith which I totally dont understand. If you're around Oscar, tell me more.

I also agreed that the anti-one exists in every version, and just like the one, the anti-one died. I beleive that the system created anti-one, since smith himself doesnt understand why he cant return to the source. Anti-one was created by the system, otherwise, how could the Smiths have entered the building when the keymaker himself couldnt just enter from one of the many doors?

Akshat Gupta wrote:

Also Oscar said something about the Oracle creating Smith which I totally dont understand.

This is how I understand it:

From: taoism.net... (again...)

"From the notion that the movements of the Tao are a continuous interplay between opposites, the Taoists deduced two basic rules for human conduct. Whenever you want to achieve anything, they said, you should start with its opposite. Thus Lao Tzu:

In order to contract a thing, one should surely expand it first.
In order to weaken, one will surely strengthen first.
In order to overthrow, one will surely exalt first.
"In order to take, one will surely give first."
This is called subtle wisdom."

-> I guess you've all noticed the Oracle's Yin Yang earrings, and the pillows on her sofa?

Smith calls the Oracle "mum". And the oracle says her purpose is to unbalance the equation.

I believe Smith and the One have a common history in a growing process of unbalancing and balancing. Already in M1, Smith is different from the other agents. Smith is one side on a scale, opposite to the One. Whenever one side adds weight (growth in power), so does the other.

During most of M1 Neo is "only" a man who has the gift. So, what made Neo finally become the One?
A persistant agent Smith that seems to have made it as a personal quest to kill him. The Oracle makes this quest a part of what she tells Neo in M1: "In the one hand you'll have Morpheus' life and in the other hand you'll have your own. One of you is going to die. Which one will be up to you. " It is the interplay of the Oracle and Smith that makes Neo choose to sacrifice his life for Morpheus. And it makes him grow in fighting the still stronger (unbalance!) Smith and die. All steps on his path to becoming the One.

Yes I believe the Oracle created Smith as the force on one side of the scale to help the One grow. Also, I believe that she resurrected him after he was destroyed by Neo in M1, to provide Neo with the balancign/unbalancing element that he would need to end the war.
You are propabely aware of the meaning of the licence plate on Smith's Audi:
"See, it is I who created the smith
who fans the coals into flame
and forges a weapon fit for its work.
And it is I who have created the destroyer to work havoc"
(Another possibility could be that Smith was resurrected by Merv. I got this idea from the Audi A8, which is a very expensive car representing wealth,... as does Merv. But I believe this would have been forseen by the Oracle and it would have happened in her interest.)

Smith is not always the unbalancing element. When Neo grows his power through understanding, Smith becomes the balancing element ("He is you. Your opposite, your negative, the result of the equation trying to balance itself out.")
But when the Oracle lets Smith copy onto her over in Revolutions, he becomes the unbalancing element, again. During the Superbrawl, through Smith, Neo grows to final enlightenment.

Yes that is a good site.

Quote:

I believe Smith and the One have a common history in a growing process of unbalancing and balancing. Already in M1, Smith is different from the other agents. Smith is one side on a scale, opposite to the One.

Good catch. Not many people realize that.

I am aware of the licence plate but I earlier theorized that it was the Architect who balanced the equation and created the new Smith. Think about it, Neo is the unbalancing factor. Smith is his opposite, the `result of the equation balancing itself out', the same variable on the other side of the equation. That seems like an act of balancing to me. So I think it was the Architect.

But the Oracle is still Smith's mom. She is a mother type figure to all in the Matrix.

Very nice thread, AG. For the longest time, I was under the belief that the current version is the only version the Anti-One pops up in. Thanks to what we've discussed here, it just makes so much more sense that the Anti-One shows up in every version. If it didn't why else wouldn't every One before Neo take the door on the left. There has to be a reason why every previous One took the door on the right. I believe that the Architect is telling Neo the truth that if he takes the door on the left the Matrix will crash. In fact, in my opinion, it's on the verge of collapse at the end of M3. The reason that the Architect is so sure that taking the door on the left will lead to destruction is because he can't fathom the One realizing the truth and sacrificing himself to save the system.

Glad to see that GP.

Quote:

In fact, in my opinion, it's on the verge of collapse at the end of M3.

Yes indeed that is the reason it is messed up in Revolutions.

Quote:

I am aware of the licence plate but I earlier theorized that it was the Architect who balanced the equation and created the new Smith. Think about it, Neo is the unbalancing factor. Smith is his opposite, the `result of the equation balancing itself out', the same variable on the other side of the equation. That seems like an act of balancing to me. So I think it was the Architect.

Well, in the beginning Smith is the unbalancing factor. He is stronger than Neo and he is a unique agent who feels strong emotions and disobeyes against his purpose as an agent inside the Matrix.
It is the direct confrontation between Neo and Smith - brought about by the Oracle - that makes Neo become the unbalancing factor. The Oracle uses Smith as a tool to make the One.

We don't know about the becoming of the One in the prior versions.
Maybe Smith originally was created by the system as a normal agent and evolved as the Anti-One, when the One emerged.
Maybe he was originally created as the Anti-One and evolved to become a tool for the Oracle to make the One.

Maybe he was even resurrected by the architect as Neo's opposite.
That would be the obvious conclusion from the Oracle's " he is the result of the equation trying to balance itself out".

I believe, since Neo has grown his power through understanding, at that moment it is in fact the system trying to balance the equation,...by using the one available and logical tool. And I believe that the Oracle had forseen that this would happen.

Smith definitely is an integral part and a major means of the Oracle's plan. Without Smith, Neo would have confonted DEM empty handed.

So, either the Oracle had relied on the system's need for the Anti-One, knowing that it would resurrect Smith. Or she had resurrected him herself, knowing that the system would use Smith to balance the equation.
Either way, the fact that the system would try to balance the equation and make Smith grow in power, had to be part of her plan. She needed him as the unbalancing factor for the climax, to give the system Neo as the balancing factor and bringer of peace.

The question is, would the system blindly resurrect an agent to make him an exile, and let him grow beyond it's control?

"See, it is I who created the smith
who fans the coals into flame
and forges a weapon fit for its work.
And it is I who have created the destroyer to work havoc"

Neo: "What's your purpose?"
Oracle: "To unbalance it."

In the end it is not Smith who balances the equation. It is Neo.

Quote:

Either way, the fact that the system would try to balance the equation and make Smith grow in power, had to be part of her plan. She needed him as the unbalancing factor for the climax, to give the system Neo as the balancing factor and bringer of peace.

Ya atleast we can agree on that. I guess there is no way of knowing how exactly Smith was created. But the Oracle must have had something to do with it. Or she knew it would happen. Thats for sure.

I am beginning to doubt about the Architect being responsible for the Anti One. Smith's purpose is irrational in the Architect's view. Smith tries to destroy everything based on hatered and frustration. That's not really how the Architect thinks. Besides frustration of not getting the Matrix to work flawlessly, he remains very rational in his actions.

I do think that the Architect is INdirectly responsible for Smith. I think he programs each threesome of agents. He programs one of them to be more of a leader, to be more devoted and to be more intelligent. This evolves the main agent into a frustrated and bittered program, which makes him 'ideal' to become the Anti One.
The new main agent of the upgraded threesome also has frustrated and sadistical facial expressions. Knowing the W-brothers, this is NOT a coincidence. If Neo would have proven to also be a 'weak' One, the main agent Johnson would have evolved into the seventh Anti One.

The question that remains is who created the Anti One? Was it the Oracle or the Merovingian?
The Merovingian is an interesting thought. The Merovingian depicts the devil, so wouldn't he like the Anti One (Anti Christ) to play it's part?
We also know that the Merovingian is very much involved with the exiles in the Matrix. So I wouldn't be surprised that Smith consulted him; ah well, maybe Smith is too arrogant/ignorant for that, so maybe the Merovingian approached him by himself.

Merv's only goal, as the devil, is destruction. He wants the humans and the machines to fail. He was banished by the system, and now his only goal is it's annihalation. Maybe he is responsible for the 'resurrection' of the Anti One each time. He is hoping that at some point the Anti One will succeed and everything will be destroyed. I clearly say 'resurrection', because the Anti One was originally created by Neo. It was Neo who gave him the code that made him more powerfull. The question is now, who initiated Smith's new quest?

It seems amazing to me that the Merovingian never talks about or is impressed by Smith. Also, the party in 'club Hel' appears to me as a final celebration. It seems like they are partying, because hell is going to freeze over at any time now.

But I also wonder this...Why would the Merovingian destroy the Key to the Source (in "Enter the Matrix")? Why wouldn't he just give the Key to Smith so that he could already enter the machine-world through the door of light and destroy ALL?

In an essay I red, it was stated that the Oracle is the goddess of the circle of life. She brings new life, but before that she has to bring death (havoc). So I am beginning to think that both the Architect and the Oracle created the Anti One; the system (Neo jumping into Smith) did the rest based upon mathematical rules.

The Architect made Smith more devoted in his role as an agent. Smith's developing AI made him grow into a frustrated agent, the perfect candidate for the Anti One.

Then the Oracle made sure that Neo and Smith would cross each other's path at the right moment (Smith witnessing the impossible ressurection of Neo).

After Neo jumped into him, the system had established opposite variables. And from that point on, it was the system that tried to balance itself.

The thing that still puzzles me is what did Smith do in the aproximatly six months between the hacking of Neo and the re-appearance at the rebel meetingpoint? Where was he? How did he discover his new powers? It would be fun if they would explain this stuff in a new Animatrix or something

Mobil_Ave_Neo wrote:

Merv's only goal, as the devil, is destruction. He wants the humans and the machines to fail. He was banished by the system, and now his only goal is it's annihalation. Maybe he is responsible for the 'resurrection' of the Anti One each time. He is hoping that at some point the Anti One will succeed and everything will be destroyed.

it seems to me like merv is less concerned with destruction and more with self-gratification. he's a decadent epicure who obviously enjoys his existence in the matrix. why would he want to destroy the place in which he can remain so powerful and from which he derives so much pleasure? i think merv wants to do everything in his power to delay the one's meeting with the architect, because every time the one goes to the architect there is a chance that the one will choose the door on the left, which would result in the death of every human connected to the matrix. with no human minds to imprison, the deus would have the matrix shut down, and then merv would have no place to hang around enjoying exotic wines, adulterous liasons, and long nights in club hel with sexy people all over the place.

d

dedalus, I don't agree on that.

Delaying Neo won't do any good. The Matrix will crash anyway if the One doesn't eventually reach the Architect. The reason why it would crash (being by the doings of Smith or by the fact that the Matrix gets more unstable by the minute) doesn't matter. He has to reach the Architect or all will be lost. So I don't think the Merovigian's motivation is delaying things.

The reason that he wants to deal in club Hel is just to stall them and to obtain even more power with the eyes of the Oracle. This could still be related to his desire for destruction. Through the eyes of the Oracle he can see what will happen or what he has to do to make it happen.

But on the other hand you are also right: "What do all men with power want? More power!"
The devil wants destruction and all souls to rot in hell, where he himself reigns. In the machine-world there is no real underworld, so I think that club Hel symbolizes the underworld, meaning that the Merovingian (the devil) awaits the end of mankind there.

But continuing on the Anti One...

It is truly hard to figure out wether the Anti One appears each time or not.

I still tend to think that this happens. It's the mathematical implementation of the yin-yang principle, positive versus negative.

The yin-yang pair formed by the Architect and the Oracle both provide 50% in the deal...

For the One:

The Architect is responsible for programming and coding the Matrix. Thanks to him, the systemic anomaly exists, ulimately resulting in the emergence of the One.

The Oracle on her part guides the One and manipulates his path in order to make him grow.

So seen in this way, the Architect is the father and the Oracle is the mother of the One.

For the Anti One:

The Architect is responsible for the agent-programs. For rational reasons, he makes the main agent more intelligent and more driven, resulting in him becoming frustrated and sadistic due to the development of his AI during his years (about 100?) in the line of duty.

The Oracle on her part manipulates his path; making sure that he comes across the One and witnesses that he cannot be beaten. This frustrates him so much that he finally collides with the One.

Also what the Architect says about a cataclysmic system crash, could be about Smith. Yet, Smith is also a result of the emergence of the One. The One can correct this 'error': by allowing the temporary dissemination of his code, he neutralizes Smith (positive code washing over negative code makes it neutral again). But this doesn't resolve the anomaly from the Matrix, because the Anti One wasn't 'forced' back to the Source together with the One. So this only neutralizes things and integrates the integral anomaly back into the system, ultimately resulting in a new flaw again.

So in short I am saying this:

When the One chooses the right-handed door his code neutralizes the Anti One but remains integrated into the prime program, resulting in it's emergence again.

When the One chooses the left-handed door, the Matrix will be destroyed by the Anti One. But Neo prevented this by sacrifizing his shell. This way the whole anomaly-code was forced back to the Source, finally being resolved from the Matrix, not returning anymore.

There is only one problem. This theory implies that the Anti One will only crash the Matrix, not the entire machine-world. In M3 they clearly state that Smith will not stop at the Matrix, he will continue untill nothing is left.
This does not correspond to what the Architect says with "there are some levels of survival we are prepared to accept". When Smith gets his way, there will be no level of survival at all.

I can counter this aspect with a plausible argument. I think that the Architect underestimates the power of the Anti One this time. Neo was the most powerfull of all the previous Ones (because he was driven by personal love). Smith, being a reflection of Neo, is more powerfull because he is driven by pure personal hatered. The Architect doesn't understand this development, but the Oracle, understanding emotions much more, foresees this.

...oh yeah...there was one more thing that I wanted to say...

I think both the Architect and the Oracle have reasons to let the Anti One exist.

The Architect needs him for mathematical precision and a way to force the One into choosing to save mankind. So it's a burden to him, but it is still the most rational solution in dealing with the integral anomaly.

The Oracle needs him to keep up an open chance for peace. To make it possible for the machines and the humans to join together again. She needed the One to understand that the only future is a future TOGETHER. Neo was the first One to finally realize and understand this.

Mobil_Ave_Neo wrote:

dedalus, I don't agree on that. Delaying Neo won't do any good. The Matrix will crash anyway if the One doesn't eventually reach the Architect. The reason why it would crash (being by the doings of Smith or by the fact that the Matrix gets more unstable by the minute) doesn't matter. He has to reach the Architect or all will be lost.

right. but does the merovingian know this? he wants the eyes of the oracle, presumably so that he can see the future, which means he does not have enough info to predict the future on his own. of course, merv has survived neo's predecessors, which means he has a certain degree of knowledge pertaining to the one and his purpose, but he also senses that neo is different than the previous five ones.

in any case, i see nothing in the films that suggests that merv wants to destroy either mankind or the matrix. his character is a pleasure-lover, and what does a pleasure-lover have to gain from destroying the source of his pleasure? and, in terms of your satan analogy, when is it ever said anywhere that satan wants to destroy mankind or the universe? he wants to corrupt and rule them, but not to destroy them. perhaps your analogy would function more effectively within a zoarastrian framework, but i'm not sure how applicable such a framework would be to the matrix films; the trilogy seems too sophisticated to reduce it to a simple issue of good vs. evil.

d

Well, what bothers me is this...

You cannot tell me that the Merovingian, with all his power, henchmen and spies doesn't know about the situation with Smith.

He doesn't seem to fear this situation, because he is chilling at the Hel club.

So by blocking Neo's path he is actually helping Smith to grow. He will give them back their saviour when he has the eyes of the Oracle. But then Neo wouldn't be able to do much good. He needs the Oracle in his final mission, but the Oracle's power would then be with the Merovingian. So Neo would be released, but he would be quite helpless.

Also, Smith depicts the darkside of Neo, which is highly related to the devil. I am not suggesting that Smith and the Merovingian work together, but the Merv definitely doesn't want to stop Smith.

Maybe the Merovingian also underestimates Smith. Maybe he thinks, just like I described two posts back, that Smith will only destruct the Matrix. After which the Merovingian can go back to the machine-world and claim his right. His right about that they should have killed all the humans after the first Matrix failed.

Mobil_Ave_Neo wrote:

Maybe the Merovingian also underestimates Smith. Maybe he thinks, just like I described two posts back, that Smith will only destruct the Matrix. After which the Merovingian can go back to the machine-world and claim his right. His right about that they should have killed all the humans after the first Matrix failed.

i certainly agree that merv underestimates smith. otherwise, he would probably have been more eager to impede smith's takeover of the matrix. i certainly wouldn't complain if the new matrix boxed set included an extra 10 or so minutes in revolutions to clear up stuff like that, but i'm not getting my hopes up.

as for merv reclaiming his right, i don't recall hearing anything about that in the films. is that in enter the matrix?

d

That is nowhere literally to be found

It's my assumption, as he hates the Oracle. He seems to hate her for achieving quite a good job with the humans.

In M1 we hear Smith say that there was a quarrel in the machine-world: some believed there wasn't a suitable program-language to govern the humans, so rationally seen they probably wanted them dead.

Merv disagreed by continuing with the humans and the Matrix and then was casted out of the machine-world. Now that the Matrix is going to fail again, he will return to claim his right.

i did notice one thing the other day in m3 that might add to this discussion about who created the anti-one...it had to be somewhat the oracle, why else would smith call her mom? (side note how would he know she was the mom? oh well...) i think the key is what she says before he calls here mom....

"you bastard!"

"you would know, Mom"

now to define bastard....
1 : an illegitimate child

now define illegitimate....
1 : not recognized as lawful offspring; specifically : born of parents not married to each other
2 : not rightly deduced or inferred : ILLOGICAL
3 : departing from the regular : ERRATIC
4 a : not sanctioned by law : ILLEGAL b : not authorized by good usage c of a taxon : published but not in accordance with the rules of the relevant international code

both the bold deffinitions seem to reflect smith...born from the oracle and architects design...but not recognized as lawful offspring due to the fact he is destructive and neither want that, or due to the fact he wasn't truely "born" until neo destroys him...

i always defined bastard as a kid who was born and the dad left, which seems plausable because he was born from the architect at first(agent), but when the oracle and neo are factored in, the human aspect of the anomaly is introduced to him(anti-one)