»My ideas on a lot of issues«

Maybe the Seraph and the cake both shine differently since they're not native code from the original Matrix, but add-in code created by programs in the Matrix.

Matrix means grid or chart, I don't think it came from dominatrix or latex.

I think the black leather and shades are for looks, and don't necessarily mean anything. They still have to sell movies, ya know. Look what happened to Batman once Joel Schumacher took over and everything got all colorful.

You suggested the Architect turns up his nose saying "the answer was stumbled upon by an intuitive program". Maybe his disdain is for the Oracle/Mother, rather than humans. Since his version of the Matrix failed, it was obviously not perfect. I think he wants this version to fail so he's not upstaged by a "lesser mind".

From the extra powers page: Some say werewolves that are not killed by a silver bullet will come back as a vampire.

Maybe it's only Smith that wants the access codes to destroy the mainframe...

Residual self-image only comes from those who have been unplugged from the Matrix. They may have never seem themselves in Zion, but in the Matrix their bodies and faces were probably modeled on their actual DNA. The Matrix wouldn't know that you had a haircut in Zion. Your representation in the Matrix (residual self-image) isn't generated by how you think you look, but is really just the Matrix picking up your looks from when you were last there. Like your email account remembering your preferences.

From Trinity Empowers Neo: Neo, while in the Matrix, seems to be able to hear Trinity who is in Zion. Maybe he doesn't completely enter the Matrix and this is why he can see the code and bend it to his will.

Human power generators: You're right, it's ridiculously inefficient. Humans would consume much more power than they would produce. The machines obviously need humans. I'm starting to think humans actually created the system so they could live in a perfect world and the machines were intended to maintain it. This could be why the machines fight to keep the Matrix in existence. I think humans destroyed the environment (that's why the sky is black) and created the Matrix to help lead a semi-normal life. Zion is a threat because most people would want to stay in the Matrix. As you said, Zion is a great place to meet other people who didn't like the Matrix, and maybe it's for the 1% who accepted the world when not given a choice. This would explain how the Oracle can predict the future and how Neo forsees Trinity's death in his dreams.

Morpheus may not have freed Neo because it was preordained, but because of his burning desire to find the One. Of course, this desire could have been given to him by the machines...

Neo is a machine arguments: Biologically, emotions are nothing but chemical signals. They were designed, but by nature rather than by machines. I think the Architect says this to show similarities between humans and machines rather than to hint that Neo is a machine.

Very interesting points, chittydog. I have a couple of targeted replies, so I'll quote your text directly:

Quote:

You suggested the Architect turns up his nose saying "the answer was stumbled upon by an intuitive program". Maybe his disdain is for the Oracle/Mother, rather than humans. Since his version of the Matrix failed, it was obviously not perfect. I think he wants this version to fail so he's not upstaged by a "lesser mind".

Your guess is as good as mine, obviously, but I read that sneer by the architect as a direct affront to the idea of the Oracle being the "mother" of the Matrix, or perhaps to the idea of the "mother" of the matrix being referred to as "The Oracle."

I think more evidence leads to the conclusion that the architect was, in fact, sneering at the equation of the Oracle to the "mother," since the Oracle seems intent on continuing to help Neo and co. even in the third movie. If her purpose was solely to lead "The One" to the Architect and thus to the Source, she has already fulfilled that purpose, and I can see no motive for her to continue to help the humans.

Quote:

From Trinity Empowers Neo: Neo, while in the Matrix, seems to be able to hear Trinity who is in Zion. Maybe he doesn't completely enter the Matrix and this is why he can see the code and bend it to his will.

An interesting point. Perhaps it is this very thing which allows Neo to control the sentinels. I'll create a new topic on this account.

Quote:

Human power generators: You're right, it's ridiculously inefficient. Humans would consume much more power than they would produce. The machines obviously need humans. I'm starting to think humans actually created the system so they could live in a perfect world and the machines were intended to maintain it. This could be why the machines fight to keep the Matrix in existence. I think humans destroyed the environment (that's why the sky is black) and created the Matrix to help lead a semi-normal life.

A very salient argument. This, IMO, is as likely as the notion of the MiM theory. And considerably more well thought out as a plot device, to boot.

mjolnir wrote:

Quote: Human power generators: You're right, it's ridiculously inefficient. Humans would consume much more power than they would produce. The machines obviously need humans. I'm starting to think humans actually created the system so they could live in a perfect world and the machines were intended to maintain it. This could be why the machines fight to keep the Matrix in existence. I think humans destroyed the environment (that's why the sky is black) and created the Matrix to help lead a semi-normal life. A very salient argument. This, IMO, is as likely as the notion of the MiM theory. And considerably more well thought out as a plot device, to boot.

At the end of 2nd Renaissance pt II; the humans and machines sign a contract of some sort... maybe it wasnt as bad as it was made to seem: perhaps the Matrix was agreed upon as a sort of truce/peace between man and machine to help each other to survive?

chittydog wrote:

Maybe the Seraph and the cake both shine differently since they're not native code from the original Matrix, but add-in code created by programs in the Matrix.

Cool, have added it.

chittydog wrote:

Some say werewolves that are not killed by a silver bullet will come back as a vampire.

Never heard of that.

chittydog wrote:

I think humans destroyed the environment (that's why the sky is black)

which is also a ridiculous idea.

chittydog wrote:

Biologically, emotions are nothing but chemical signals.

Blah, if biology was right it could save the world.

Quote:

chittydog wrote: I think humans destroyed the environment (that's why the sky is black) which is also a ridiculous idea.

I'm somewhat interested why this would be a "ridiculous" idea, given that Morpheus, himself indicated that this is exactly what happened.

The 2nd Renaissance Part 2 should clear up the discussion above.

My thoughts on residual self-image:

I believe the mind can project an accurate portrate of ones self in a virtual world. When a person has never had the use of a certain sense,(sight for example) the other senses are used more to make up for what was never there.

A person hooked into the matrix has been robbed of ALL bodily functions except for the mind. Dont you think with time that a mind can map out a persons bodily structure (bones, muscle, skin pigment, height, weight, and so on) in an accurate way?