Gnosticism Reloaded

[Bandwraith at aol.com]

Heard a piece on NPR this AM reflecting on the parallel
between the worldview put forth by the Matrix films and that
of Gnosticism. Actually, it was a commentary about the
intentional religious evocations of the films- the world is an
illusion, or false projection, by an Evility- knowledge of which
(gnosis) sets one free from the illusion. The comparison made
by the commentator was with both Gnosticism and to a less
extent Buddhism.

In the case of The Matrix, a computer takes the role of the
evil Demigod- programs are Archons. I was reminded of 
Pynchon, (Or, perhaps Ishould say, Pynchon's work was 
evoked in my mind), particularly this scene from Vineland:

       If patterns of ones and zeros were "like" patterns
       of human lives and deaths, if everything about an
       individual could be represented in a computer record
       by a long string of ones and zeros, then what kind of
       creature would be represented by a long string of lives
       and deaths? It would have to be up one level at least- an
       angel, a minor god, something in a UFO. It would take
       eight human lives and deaths just to form one character
       in this being's name- its complete dossier might take
       up a considerable piece of history of the world. We are
       digit's in God's computer, she not so much thought as
       hummed to herself to a sort of standard gospel tune,
       And the only thing we're good for, to be dead or living,
       is the only thing He sees. What we cry, what we contend
       for, in our world of toil and blood, it all lies beneath the
       notice of the hacker we call God. (VL, Penguin, 90-91.)

respectfully
       

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