<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">Heard a piece on NPR this AM reflecting on the parallel<BR>
between the worldview put forth by the Matrix films and that<BR>
of Gnosticism. Actually, it was a commentary about the<BR>
intentional religious evocations of the films- the world is an<BR>
illusion, or false projection, by an Evility- knowledge of which<BR>
(gnosis) sets one free from the illusion. The comparison made<BR>
by the commentator was with both Gnosticism and to a less<BR>
extent Buddhism.<BR>
<BR>
In the case of The Matrix, a computer takes the role of the<BR>
evil Demigod- programs are Archons. I was reminded of <BR>
Pynchon, (Or, perhaps Ishould say, Pynchon's work was <BR>
evoked in my mind), particularly this scene from Vineland:<BR>
<BR>
If patterns of ones and zeros were "like" patterns<BR>
of human lives and deaths, if everything about an<BR>
individual could be represented in a computer record<BR>
by a long string of ones and zeros, then what kind of<BR>
creature would be represented by a long string of lives<BR>
and deaths? It would have to be up one level at least- an<BR>
angel, a minor god, something in a UFO. It would take<BR>
eight human lives and deaths just to form one character<BR>
in this being's name- its complete dossier might take<BR>
up a considerable piece of history of the world. We are<BR>
digit's in God's computer, she not so much thought as<BR>
hummed to herself to a sort of standard gospel tune,<BR>
And the only thing we're good for, to be dead or living,<BR>
is the only thing He sees. What we cry, what we contend<BR>
for, in our world of toil and blood, it all lies beneath the<BR>
notice of the hacker we call God. (VL, Penguin, 90-91.)<BR>
<BR>
respectfully<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
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