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The Matrix, Evil, and ViolenceFinally saw the first Matrix. Although there were a few things about the movie that I didn't like, the basic plot was mind-blowing. Reality doesn't seem the same after seeing this movie. I also really liked the acting of Laurence Fishburne (who played Morpheus) and Hugo Weaving (who played Agent Smith). Fishburne's voice was perfect for Morpheus.
Sometimes the web seems like the Matrix, a virtual reality that can take a life of its own. On a more disturbing thought, I was wondering if terrorists picture themselves similar to Morpheus' team. I'm not saying they get their inspiration from science fiction. My question is about the general feeling or perception that exists. Is it similar to what existed in the movie?
For example, in the movie, Morpheus had this interesting quote as he was explaining the Matrix to Neo:
Most of these people are not ready to be unplugged, and many of them are so inured, so hopelessly dependent on the system, that they will fight to protect it.
Wonder if the terrorist leaders build this same sense of reality where they see an epic war between their idea of good and evil. Perhaps they paint democracy, capitalism, and America as the "system", an evil "matrix" of decadence, ungodliness, etc. Perhaps they look at Americans as "so inured, so hopelessly dependent on the system, that they will fight to protect it."
I want to make the point that I in no way sympathize with terrorists nor claim the movie The Matrix supports terrorism in any way. I just want to share my feelings on similarities in mentalities that might exist. This is part of what I found interesting about the movie.
What I didn't find interesting about the movie was the violence. The stunts where the characters were breaking the perceived physical barriers were interesting. But couldn't those powers be used in nonviolent methods?
I suppose for the typical movie audience, it's a lot "cooler" if heros and villains fight epic battles with kung fu, light sabers, machine guns, etc. I don't think most movies glorify violence. But they certainly don't do anything to glorify nonviolent methods.
Can good win over evil without violence? Could the USA have been formed without the Revolutionary War? Could slavery have been ended without the Civil War? Could Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan been stopped without World War II?
One thing that interests me is how life was in France in the 1940's under the Nazi regime. Under a Nazi regime, is terrorism justified? Of course, most of the French had no idea of the atrocites that were being carried out by the Nazis against the Jews and others. So the Nazi regime probably didn't look nearly as evil then as we see it today. So from their perspective, terrorism probably wouldn't seem justified. What would be the proper way to fight the Nazi regime back then. I guess you could always provide assistance to the British and Americans. But what if the British also lost and America never got into the war? What then? Could nonviolent resistance make a difference?
The physical fighting is not what is interesting. It's the decision about when to fight, why to fight and how to fight that is interesting. For movies, instead of more battles with kung fu, guns, and swords, I would like to see more epic battles that go on in the minds of people.
