“There are no choices. Nothing but a straight line. The illusion comes afterwards, when you ask "why me?" and "what if?". When you look back and see the branches, like a pruned bonsai tree, or forked lightning. If you had done something differently, it wouldn't be you, it would be someone else looking back, asking a different set of questions.” -Max Payne (Max Payne 2)
We feel limited because we look back on our limited past actions and see how little we've seemingly chosen to get to where we are when in reality it's not a matter of choice but a matter of scope, and what perspective does to how we see it and understand it
It’s weird. Are any of us really who we thought we would be? I’ve accomplished a decent amount in my 35 years, but I feel almost the same as I always have. Society and my environment have aged me with their expectations of what I should be and how I should act. Responsibility and the consequences for not earning a living dictate my daily life more than free will.
@@sirownzalotgaming3025 I'd say around 6 years old we leave our true selves and start the personas seeking acceptance, attention, affection etc. thanks to a shitty Education system. Just feeds the ego
The Matrix online wasn't just popular; it was CANON! Everything that happened in game, canonically took place in the greater Matrix storyline. The GMs and devs even got the some of the in game guild equivalents involved in in game events and storylines. It was magical.
Enter the Matrix becomes an incredibly fun game if you don't do the following 2 things: 1. use weapons 2. disarm people By only relying on hand-to-hand combat and bullet time the game turns into a really fun challenge. It direly needed a couple more months of development time though, given how unfinished everything is... I still love it nonetheless.
Completely forgot that speech, as a kid I just thought it was funny because of the context but this is a really good explanation. The hacking minigame/side game might be worth analysing from the perspective of fourth wall breaks and the way it makes you want to uncover more information. The eventual guidance from someone who has knowledge of the Matrix (which sets you back to square one but with the eventual ability to alter the game) could be seen as thematically similar to Neo's path as well and hence enlightenment. TL;DR hacking game is cool, actually
On the topic of “I think therefore I am” vs “something thinks”, distilled even further, it’s just “I observe”. The human experience is just experience. That is one think that I can be sure of. If anything, I’m watching a pretty cool movie. Whether it’s story is fated or not, it is something to find meaning and beauty in like a work of art that was set in motion by cause and effect. But yeah, love your stuff, thank you for sharing your perspective!
"Choice. The problem is choice... she stumbled upon a solution whereby nearly 99% of all test subjects accepted the program as long as they were given a choice even if they were only aware of the choice at a near unconscious level." The previous quote from Reloaded has resonated in my head for years and tonight the bell was rung again. I have been watching Milton Friedman's Free to Choose series (about free-market economics) over the last few weeks and I came across this video tonight. At the conclusion of this video the Architect scene blanketed my mind and I've sat here, staring off into space for the last hour pondering the implications of "choice" on the human condition. If anyone has any thoughts about choice please share. And, thank you Max! Your videos inspire great conversations!
I have a conjecture on that. An informed one, but limited by my experiences nonetheless. I don't think there is Choice. But I don't think there isn't one, either. We are the result of a chain of events, generations of evolution, bound by our genetics and experiences. If one chooses to buy candy, the reason for that could be traced all the way towards things far out of our control. We could say, in this example, the person bought candy because they like it. They like it because it makes them calm down when anxious. It makes them calm down because their father once gave them candy during an anxious breakdown because the man didn't know how to react otherwise, making the child associate candy with emotional comfort. The father didn't know to react otherwise because of his father before that....... Where I'm getting at is, even the act of buying candy is a consequence of events far beyond one's control. Everything we do, everything we feel, everything we choose, it's all consequences of a complex system of events interacting with each other. Following this thought, in theory, a higher being who could see all could predict who our children will be from all the connections they would be subject to during their lives. But then, if we come out of this macroscopic view, isn't the act of buying candy a choice, even if it is a result of a chain of events? Not the idea of free will as "I can choose whatever I want". We don't live in a blank space, we suffer from all kinds of influences. But it is a *kind* of choice, informed by what we know, what we have been influenced by. One could argue that it isn't a choice if the person never had the option to *not* buy the candy because they are just doing what they have been influenced to do. But... I could agree to that, but there is a way out. You see, the person in this example bought the candy being unaware of the mechanics behind that choice. But what if they did? According to Buddhism, enlightenment is achieved by the distancing of one's self from one's body. Not as a mystical "astral projection" kind of way (not necessarily), but as a recognition that your self is beyond the limitations of your body. You are not your pain, you are not your genetics, you are not mental ailments. It's when you aren't being controlled by your limitations, but are fully aware of them, watching them "from outside", in a state of mindfulness, acceptance, and contempt. And if you achieve some level in a scale of enlightenment, then, following this train of thought, you do have a Choice. If you know why you want to buy the candy, if you can see the tapestry that lead to that moment, you have power over it, you can choose to buy, or not buy the candy. But then again... isn't your enlightenment a consequence of the events that lead you here? :) I believe this is the point Neo found himself. To fight or to give in, doesn't really matter. But it matters. It's all the same, but it isn't. It is a choice, but it is fate. He became One - not as a "Chosen One", but One with the Matrix. He has no control, but in that lack of control, he found he has *all* the control. He achieved enlightenment. Well, that's my take on the meaning behind that and behind life itself. Also, I just wanted to mention Friedman is boss. :P
On a collective level, deniying some forms of sacred liberty seems to enclined people to some forms of violence. The situation tends to both stimulate endogeneous crisis, and avoid resolution of exogenous ones. As a consequence it seems to turns people into two different states. Either a large part of it gets transformed into a form of collective hypnosis (or "blue pilled" in Matrix) ; or a minority of it gets awakened to follow the path of truth. I reckon this is where the question of "choice" gets its recognition. As previous matrix versions lacked this very feature, it definitely, in my opinion, spiritually oppressed individuals to the point where this very notion of sacred liberty is lost. The system lacked a certain dynamic, and thus completly collapsed on its own. By enabling some key figures, with the likes of Morpheus, the Architect/Oracle couple allow individuals a form of choice. The choice to know and seek the truth, certainly induced by an individual form existential crisis. This is where the Path of Neo is interesting. Let's say the "blue pilled" individuals are the hypnosed people which does not seek awakening. Then let's jump to the "red pilled" of Zion. Only a few persons like Neo seems to understand that another kind of hypnosis is set there. The Wachowskis sisters show us that another question of "blue/red pilled" individuals can be interpreted here. There is a question of iteration : a minority is getting the choice to follow the path of truth, a different state of mind occurs in them, this minority will form a potential majority of a new collective, then a minority of it is getting to the choice to follow the path of truth...etc Neo seemed to reached a state where he understand this form of iteration process to the ultimate level. He seemed to resolve a tricky question : what if the path of truth actually leads to another box, and another one, and another one...always deceiving its observers. There will always be a tangible structure, thus a form of control, thus a form of illusion of choice. So in my opinion the Neo's epyphany leads him to the conclusion of accepting the dichotomy "the only choice is to not make a choice", to create its own path. Max Derrat's video explained it with better terms. But my attention is now focused to the state of Neo here. Let me briefly explained my train of thoughts. I think it is structured like the three metamorphoses story of Nietzsche. As if the "blue pilled" people trapped into the Matrix where actually stuck into their "camel" state. Then the one from Zion, unaware of the Architect/Oracle strategy, were stuck in a state of "lion". Some individuals will make the choice (Neo) to go deeper into the question, thus entering into the third metamorphose : the "child" one. In a nutshell, a collective system enduring denial of choice will collapsed on its own. The question of choice, intertwined with the notion of sacred liberty, will then transforms a minority of individuals, altering them spiritually (like the Nietzsche metamorphoses). To finally reach a final point : whatever the system, our human condition seems to ultimately accept every choice, action,... as unpure or irrelevant. A new definition of sacred liberty is created by these individuals, by creating their very own notion of choice, their very own definition of existence.
@@SirZelean You put a lot of thought into your response. Thank you. I do agree that our choices are heavily influenced by social conditioning but I dont think that indicates determinism. As for Neo-- My concept of Neo's program/avatar/character was as the ultimate "defender" of the Matrix, i.e., Neo "appears" when the system is about to collapse and saves it (balances the equation). Neo is "activated" when "discovered" by the Red-Pills. He then co-opts their group and reboots the Matrix with new and better forms of social control. Neo is a Matrix Optimizer. This is what I think is taking place in Matrix 4... the movie is the 8th iteration of the Matrix and different criteria (social conditions) are required to "activate" Neo this time.
@@pulcherrimanostalgia Very insightful! I harken back to Eric Fromm's Escape From Freedom and his thesis of negative and positive freedom. Preference for 1. freedom "from" or 2. freedom "to' depends on personality type and social conditions. No freedom (choice) is oppressive, whereas (counter-intuitively) too much freedom may also be oppressive. Does your statement, " A new definition of sacred liberty is created by these individuals, by creating their very own notion of choice, their very own existence..." indicate the belief that "truth" is relative?
@@b1-66er6 I didn't know Erich Fromm. Thank you for bringing that up. I believe your question regarding a form of relativity towards "truth" is insteresting. I would say that its answer implies two lines of thought: individual and collective. First we can focus our thoughts throughout an individual dimension. I reckon that a lot of people experienced through their live some moment of individual existential crisis. Some psychologists, as the likes of Irvin Yalom, have dedicated their works to concrete form of actions concerning this moment. There is always a question of consciousness, awareness, seeking of truth...that comes to mind. Every person experiencing this phenomenon will have the "choice" to look through the looking glass, getting a deeper and more truthful notion of what is happening. If not, the individual will kind of psychologically regress, setting a facade of deceptive psychological biases, helping him to overcome the event without the least damage (until the next crisis comes...). Let's focus a little more on those who have definitely "choose" the path of truth. As they surpass the crisis with a deeper notion of (a quite concrete) truth, they now turn their mind into another deeper/higher box. This kind of rite of passage is well documented by C.G. Jung's works. In its process of individuation, he will potentially traverse some steps (inspired by the alchemy world): white → black → yellow → red. When the invidual arrives at the red step ("rubedo"), he will discover a kind of truth, less tangible from our reality, a kind of spiritual/godly energy, sometimes called the "maya" by Jung's words, basically helping him to become one with god's conscious. This can be the ultimate individual search for "truth". As all the previous steps resulted to a concrete objective notion of it, then ultimatly turns into a phenomenological definition, only understood by its observer, transcending all notions of tangible reality to tease this godly/spiritual kind of state. Albert Camus also speaks about this forms of existential crisis leading its witness to questioning the bound of reality throughout a deeper spiritual lens. Secondly we can think the question of relativity towards "truth" troughout a collective lens. This is were my previous comment and your mentioned source from Eric Fromm are relevant. Let's say that, indeed, the path of Neo reflects my previous says regarding the metamorphoses story of Nietzche. Neo goes from box to box, seeking the truth in each one, turning himself from a "camel" to "lion" then "child" state. Both Jung's notion of "rubedo/red work" and Nietzche's "child" state underline the importance of creativity, developing our own notion of truth. This is well defined by what I read from Eric Fromm's wikipedia pages: «This is the kind of freedom [... that] can be a destructive force unless accompanied by a creative element - 'freedom to' - the use of freedom to employ the total integrated personality in creative acts. This [...] necessarily implies a true connectedness with others that goes beyond the superficial bonds of conventional social intercourse: "...in the spontaneous realization of the self, man unites himself anew with the world..."». So by what we gathered previously, one can say that every step of Neo to understand its reality and structure leads to a concrete new notion of truth. Tangible and concrete truths: machines control the matrix, Orable/Architect couple control the prophecy and the people of Zion, etc. Then its last moment leads Neo to the ultimate question of choice, to were I stated that «A new definition of sacred liberty is created by these individuals, by creating their very own notion of choice, their very own existence.» This ultimate epiphany is also a type of godly/spiritual kind a state, creating its subjective notion of truth. But the main difference from my first point regarding individual crisis is here: here Neo has crafted its new state of mind by both individual and collective triggers. As individual existential crisis results into a subjective notion of truth only understood by its witness, here it can results into a subjective notion of truth potentially understood by other individuals from the collective. Let me finally conclude my thoughts. I will say that: - Everyone can experience individual crisis, eventually leading them from concrete truths, to a finally phenomenological individual and relative Truth. This can be the path of individual wisdom stated in Daoism. - While experiencing previous mentioned steps, everyone can closely connect its indivual lens with a collective one. From the latter emanates the eventuality to deliver its own notion of Truth to everyone else, via a restricted, non-sayable, spiritual and symbolical meaning. This can be the return to cave from Plato, or even the hero's return to the village from Joseph Campbell. I believe this is a common pattern from various religions for example. It all implies that truth is mainly unbiased. But at some point, truth can become subjective, only understood by its "creator". And in some way, when both existential individual and collective crises get intertwined into a single person, it can result to a potentially relative truth with trails of spiritual comprehension. It's up to the next individual to adhere ("chose"?) to it, and maybe seek it's own definition.
I remember that part. 'Well since this is a game and self-sacrifice isn't really cool, here's a giant enemy for you to defeat.' Also now we know why Larry's avatar was pink.
@@clostridiumtetani9947 They used to be Larry. During the recording of this scene they are Larry. IMO OP was right regardless of what pronouns they use now, then when the pink sprite was chosen they were Larry. Looks like the guy deleted his comment out of recognition of his over-reaction tho.
@@excelatrate Larry never existed. You do not exist as two people nor did you ever exist as the first when you literally have a condition that makes assuming and performing the first identity painful
@@clostridiumtetani9947 1st) You are wrong factually. If we could rewind time to whenever this scene was VO’d the person would’ve referred to themselves as Larry, regardless of your opinions. 2nd) Don’t speak for trans people. I have an ex that is trans, we are still friends and when she talks about her past pre-transition she refers to herself as a male because at the time, she was. I’ve actually never seen a trans person refer to their pre-transition self as who they are today which makes sense because it’s ridiculous. 3rd) this is just a personal opinion but I think we put WAY too much thought into identity, what even is identity? It’s just a way to categorize yourself, it doesn’t really matter.
@@excelatrate I am trans. I speak for the vast majority of trans people in saying that, if you showed me a video that I was in, and constantly used my deadname whenever I showed up, that would, yes, be painful. Even if you used the right name in a similar video recorded after I had transitioned.
I would love to hear more about what exactly enlightenment IS, how neo would reach it, How exactly did Neo resolve the paradox? I listened a few times, but I just don't understand. In any case, I love your videos so much! Keep going Max, thank you.
Enlightenment can only be reached by an act of surrender. You have to look past the boundary of what the world holds meaning in and see past the perceptions of truth we have defined. Things like anger, jealousy, revenge are all constructs that lead us on a path of fate because each emotion is under the control of causality. So if a individual can see past their own being or state of mind then it leads them one step closer to enlightenment. At least that's how I understand it.
He resolved the paradox by transcending the human condition. The paradox only applies to those who inhabit a body, but if you can transcend the body, the paradox doesn't apply to you. Maybe "resolve" isn't the most accurate term, but the directors chose it nonetheless. Hopefully that cleared things up a bit? Thanks for watching and commenting! It helps me out a lot.
A Buddhist might say that life is "suffering" and the reason we suffer is because of our desires, attachments, and expectations. "Enlightenment" is the transcendence of suffering. Truly "letting go" of all desire, attachment, and expectation results in freedom from suffering a.k.a. "enlightenment". My very condensed understanding.
@@Azel49 for me it was understanding how 4th dimensional concepts interact with this reality. It seems so simple at first glance, they simply implant thoughts into humans through consciousness and the humans grant the thoughts power by thinking the thoughts or acting on the thoughts. But sadly people think I’m schizophrenic for this knowledge which is silly to me because I can’t see or hear things that don’t physically exist, I just understand where thoughts come from. But there is so much more, that’s just base level.
There is a way to look at the world where the question of free will vs. determinism is irrelevant. It's not even that complicated. No matter the basis of our choices, they still feel like choices, even if we have reasons for doing so. No matter the ulitmate cause of the decisions, they are still our decisions. Thinking about them as anything else is psychologically damaging and provides excuses for not fixing problems.
@@b1-66er6 I don't think it's right to think about this as cogito ergo sum. It's simply a phenomenological view of choice, combined with the observation that determinism, when bad, is only bad because it is used as an excuse. Other than that, it is literally identical to a free will view. In the evolutionary view, rationality appears to have evolved to justify modes of behavior to others (and oneself - cue Jung). Determinism doesn't hold up as a rational justification to not attempt to improve because chaos theory illustrates that nobody knows that when they make the claim (not least since some of them proceed to try to improve). Meanwhile, what it excuses is to suffer more than one would like, perhaps in a way that makes others suffer, too. To what end? Sloth? As for Cogito Ergo Sum and "we": No "I" is known to exist without being born from a "we". Even so, from the point of view of the "I", the external world is traditionally doubted (as per Descartes appealing to God guaranteeing it because he could imagine God and presumed he couldn't imagine something greater than himself if it didn't exist and was also trustworthy, which does not obviously follow). What is not doubted is frustration and other forms of discomfort. For the individual, this discomfort actually proves that there is more to the world than the individual itself, or that otherwise "it" isn't one thing in any meaningful sense anyway (hence the later split into conscious/unconscious). Discomfort thus proves the world exists and justifies trying to find ways in which to exist in harmony with the world around - to avoid discomfort if nothing else, but perhaps in time, to aim for a higher form of harmony which justifies discomfort amidst the uncertainty. Even if not possible, it is worth trying for. And that is where the "we" comes back in. When you doubt everything, you also doubt origin. It is on the justification above that you can even appeal to the "we". In light of the evolutionary account of rationality it is probably worth noting that the "we" gives rise to the rationality "I" can use to doubt that the "we" exists in the first place. Ironic. All the same, rationality should hold in any world bound by rules, no matter how abstract those are. Even if the sole inhabitant is a permanent "I" with memory loss.
Mr. Derrat always gives me the best content. I’ve been following along ever since you were hanging out with the Badgers and I love your movie and game/ philosophy analysis content. Amazing stuff dude.
Aahh I’m so hyped about this video and hearing that you will cover more Matrix content. I grew up hearing from others how they disliked part 2 and 3 of the trilogy, but as I kept rewatching the series I discovered how vital and important they are for the completion of the story - and I feel this video highlighted it perfectly. Also - feeling absolutely nostalgic about rewatching the end sequence of Path of Neo - which still might have been the most enjoyable video gaming experience I ever had. Looking back at the mechanics now, it’s funny to observe how my mind had upgraded my memories over the past decade and a half, because I was pretty sure that it was an absolutely brilliant gameplay experience - until rewatching the clips today. 😅😅
Alright, it's been a while since I seen the Matrix series and I never played any of the games. It is nice to see a philosophy that can expand and teach people more than what can be found through conventional means. Overall, you made a great video and I appreciate these videos.
I have a pet theory that in the 2nd matrix movie, the fight scene in the Frenchmans castle is the symbolic transition from eastern to western philosophy; they fight with every conceivable medieval weapon and after that is an EXSTENSIVE use of katanas, as well as a lot of ying/yang symbolism (which is admittedly already present, but increased with The Architect). Anyway, I have no way of really proving this since I know basically nothing about eastern philosophy/mythos, so feel free to tell me if I'm hilariously wrong or not.
this makes a lot of sense to me since the trilogy is like this union of east and west right, it has anime influence, kung fu, there are major buddhist and taoist themes during the entire course of the story, but it also has christianity, it's presented in a western world, in this kinda cyberpunk western dystopia, it's like trying to find a bridge between these philosophies and spiritual systems
I think your key insight here is that the fight scenes are representative of, if not quite a battle between alternative philosophies then, at least the collision of different points of view or perspectives. Whether western or eastern, the philosophies of the Merovingian and the Architect are rational, or inherently dualistic which brings to mind the yin yang dualism of eastern Daoism which itself is mirrored in western Physics describing the interplay between potential energy and kinetic energy respectively. But, if you take a look closely at the yin yang taijitu diagram of the "Neo" Confucian Chinese philosopher Zhou Dunyi, you'll find a monism at the heart of the yin yang dualities that transcends the rational or reason, hence the irrational "belief" of The Oracle. Whilst on the subject of eastern philosophies, it is interesting to note that Yoga, in the Indian sense, means to "yoke together", which again invokes the transcending of dualities.
@@davelister591 The philosophers commentary of the films emphasizes that fights in the Matrix are battles of ideas and ideology while fights in Zion are of the body. Maybe theres something to this body/mind dichotomy of the two worlds that Neo transcends by end of the second movie by being able to enter the Matrix without being physically hooked up to it and seemingly having Matrix like powers in "reality" and can see beyond the immediate physical world.
@@Tamacat388 : I suspect this mind/body dichotomy gets deep into metaphysics and is perhaps a nod to the fact that everything we know and understand about the "external" material "reality" comes to us via internal consciousness. Even Morpheus's description of the perceived world as 'electrical signals interpreted by your brain' puts the cart before the horse, all we know about neurophysiology is a product of consciousness. Akso, our identity as self placing a border between that which is external from that which is internal may be merely another duality of the Matrix that can be transcended albeit with difficulty.
@@raioh4747 : More perhaps than one suspects. The Forbidden Kingdom stars Jackie Chan as a somewhat Taoist fighter representing a dark feminine, long haired, might we say progressive personality type, who fights a pretty much equally balanced battle against Jet Li as a Buddhist fighter sporting a bald head representative of white, masculine possibly conservative personality type. NPs vs SJs if you're into the whole MBTI personality type index thing. EDIT: Note the poster for this movie depicts Li looking up towards the Sky Father in Heaven whereas Chan looks downwards towards the Earth Mother or Nature.
Okay, I officially need to watch The Matrix. With that said, if Max is in the Matrix, does it become a MAXtrix? 😂. Okay, jokes aside, good job, my Lord! 🧜🏼♀️🙏🏻
My exploration of this particular rabbit hole began with my reading of Thus Spoke Zarathustra, particularly the chapter on "The Three Metamorphoses" of the spirit. Potentially infinite paths, same mountain.
I only wish I discovered you earlier. Thank you for very much for much needed videos and observations. I hope this "new" comment will push the algorithm to recommend your videos to more people. Peace ✌️
I enjoyed Enter the Matrix for the most part but yeah it's final products lack of polish even for that era of gaming was about the most memorable thing for me. Thus,I never played the others. I've heard of the Cartesian thing but have never had it explained so even though I'm going to go briefly look it up, I'd love to see a future video on it from you.
Max... speaking of transcendence and ridiculousness... have you ever played Asura's Wrath? It's spectacularly underrated and well done. Admittedly, it does have one DLC required for the true ending, but it's more than worth it.
I remember that moment exactly! i was always wondering about that paragraph. Thank you very much , i found explanation in a very unusual place and so many years later
This fits well here I think.... Matrix trilogy interpretation: Was Sati really "The One" after all? Sort of..... All the characters in The Matrix trilogy represent either key archetypes or smaller aspects of an individual psyche, major ones being; Neo the ego, Smith the shadow, Trinity love, Morpheus the mystic, The Merovingian a cynic/sophist, The Architect a rational intellect, The Oracle an empathic heart, Mifune the warrior etc., with the psyche itself possibly represented by the Nebuchadnezzar hovercraft. Their power and influence, in essence if not reality, have to die to liberate Sati the child/spirit. Neo's battle with the machines is the ego's psychological war with the despotic nature of social institutions and authority personified by the agents who defend those institutions and power, i.e. the individual separate egos of others. Neo's victory over Smith at the end of the first movie is NOT enlightenment, that doesn't occur until the end of Revolutions and the liberation of Sati, it is merely Neo becoming "woke" in the parlance of our time, he remains still trapped in The Matrix. This is attested to by Neo being asleep at the beginning of all three movies, and, his seeing everyone in The Matrix ultimately being taken over by the devil incarnate represented by Smith, who Neo is compelled to do battle with. Neo chooses to continue fighting, but physical and psychological exhaustion make the end inevitable, thus resolving the paradox of Neo having both freewill but also a fated destiny. Neo's final self sacrifice as The Saviour of Mankind, ultimately defeats Smith, by his recognizing the same egoic motivations in himself i.e. Neo becomes just another Smith, and hence, humanity is finally Redeemed or forgiven, thus fulfilling the prophecy of The One and an end to "the war in heaven", or discontent of the mind, as the Matrix is reset.
Interesting analysis, very psycho-theological. Do you think it is possible that Sati is the Oracle version 8.0? That Matrix 4 takes place in Sati's world, i.e., the 8th iteration?
@@b1-66er6 : Thanks. I'm sorry the jury is still out on what Matrix 4 might be about. I've heard interesting ideas about Neo now being an actor who played the part of Neo in the original movie trilogy which itself appears in the new Matrix, all very meta. Apparently, there is also a younger actress whose long blond locks have been shawn and dyed to be more like those of the original Trinity, who might be a stand in for the young Trinity. In this scenario, Neo the middle aged actor might have undergone some existential crisis precipitated by playing the role of original Neo and pontificating on its meaning - making the new Matrix about mental health issues perhaps. I'm wondering however, given Lana Wachowski's stated motivation in making the new movie being dealing with the passing of her parents, whether or not this new movie is actually not so much a Matrix movie at all but rather a post mortem narrative in the vein of What Dreams May Come or Lost, where Neo, in some sort of purgatory, has to work out residual unresolved psycho-spiritual issues before moving on. This again might then be the story narrative, to allegorically portray some form of post satori malaise/melancholy. As for The Oracle - I think her role is perhaps the personification of scripture - so The Bible. In this case she may appear in the new matrix though I can't see how Sati being the new Oracle would work in this context.
@@davelister591 Agree, there is no way of knowing what the Matrix 4 holds in store, but my conjecture about Sati is based on the trailer moment when Neo is in the bookstore and a young woman, bearing a resemblance to Sati, gives him a copy of Alice in Wonderland and it seemed like Sati was the Oracle's protégé in Revolutions.
@@b1-66er6 : Well Hinduism with its Vedas, spawned Buddhism with its Tripitaka, and the Jewish Torah spawned the Christian Gospels, so not impossible to have the Oracle as the personification of one body of scripture giving rise to Sati as the personification of another. Food for thought. EDIT: ...and Alice in Wonderland is nothing if not an iconic example of Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey. EDIT2: Sati could reference the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta a Buddhist text, or perhaps the Hindu Goddess Sati related to the practice of self immolation of widows on their husband's funeral pyre which could see this character getting married, losing her husband and giving birth to Hiram Abiff - the Architect 😉
I think you should really read The Sickness Unto Death by Kierkegaard, if you haven't already. It kind of discussing the things you talk about but in a much more theological and existentialist way. Definitely one of my favorite philosophy books
Is this moment really all that profound? It’s just a condensed reiteration of the themes from the movies lol, it’s not ad if it has any sort of new perspective on them either
This doesn't hype my for the 4th film, just makes me wonder why it even bothers to exist at all lol Also glad you mentioned Matrix Online, I hadn't thought about that game in ages and I had a brief time on it during a free trial a loooong time ago, then the servers oddly shut down. I went searching to see if there's an Emulator of it and there is, but there's like a handful of people that play it. Should probably change that tbh, that game was fun.
Agreed, this just seems like some mealy-mouthed cash-in of a movie. Many people don't seem to realise it's okay to disagree with established creators, or even to lose faith in them entirely. They think you *have* to stick by them, no matter what, and that is a dangerous precendent.
I have the exact opposite feeling in this regard. Part of what is touched on in the games and movies, even moreso directly in the MMO and Animatrix, is the rebooting of the software (the revolutions). Matrix 4 very obviously takes place in one, but what makes it so much more interesting in that respect is how this new Matrix is now truly 1:1 with reality. Our *modern* reality. As Baudrillard points out, the simulacra and simulations of our world need to update to achieve relevancy, so even copies must evolve to meet the standards of those they are meant to appease. That seems to be the point this new movie is trying to make: what happens when enlightenment brings you right back to square one. But hey, everyone's got their own stance on it, so you do you, yknow? Either way, we got a good four movies out of this franchise before this new one, so it's still a win for us.
@@Kainlarsen I think the trailer we have right now hints at a lot of cool things the movie could do. And the ending to the third movie is pretty weak. The series starts at fighting the Power but ends in detente brought about by a complete accident of Smith getting to swole or whatever. And that achieves some sort of peace. I think the fourth movie is gonna be pretty meta. With the idea that the current Anderson is some rando made to look like Neo within the Matrix and starred in movie recreations of the previous revolution and is given some sort of construct of Trinity for some reason. Possibly another means of controlling him since shes wearing the same collar around her wrist that the cat has in the therapists office. The forefronting of the blue and red pills is making me think that the film is also going to comment on how the ideas and iconography of the Matrix has been digested in the real world in ways that the creators clearly didnt intent. Or I could be totally wrong and its Force Awakens Part 2 but cant we give Lana Wachowski some artistic credit? I mean she went on to make Speed Racer, Cloud Atlas, and Sense8 why this bizzare assumption from everything that shes playing it safe?
Your video inspired me to go rewatch the films and pay attention to the ideas and perspectives of each of the characters. In the second movie the oracle said something that stuck with me. I don't remember the exact line but during the park bench scene she pointed out to Neo that he had already made the choice wether to save Trinity and that he was only there to understand the choice. To me it felt like a soft version of determinism. I thought to myself "Every choice I have ever made or will make has already been decide. Not by fate but by myself" We might not always understand the choices we make but we were the ones to make them.
Have you played Persona 3 yet? It also shares a lot of the themes and imagery you spoke about in this video, seeing as the game's main theme is about death and overcoming it. Would love to hear your thoughts on it.
damn ol I watched at least 4 of your vids loved them all just found out u the same guy, good shitttt, just watched all the matrixm ovies a week ago w/o knowing ab the new one this shit gonna be sick
Even though some time has passed since the release of this video, yet given the fact that you cover different sorts of media in terms of philosophy and human nature/social traits, video games including, if possible I'd like to watch your take on System Shock series. I personally think that the world crafted for the franchise creates lots of opportunities for a singular and yet universal analysis of its own, as lots of refferences could be found in it, whether it's the god/superiority complex of SHODAN, the complexity and collectivism of The Many, the roles of Hacker/Soldier in their respective set of events, etc. Considering your profound moment analysis of Metal Gear Solid 2, which is extraordinary, no doubt about it, I'm just very interested to see your insight and interpretation of SS. And given the Deus Ex cutscene implemented in this video, I guess I couldn't ask for it in a better place. Best to you Max. I may not be your subscriber (as I do not share the interest in following everything the creator makes, I'm very selective about the videos I watch on the platform), nevertheless I enjoy your videos and I'm very thankful for such a diversity in topics and media coverage. Hope you'll read this comment as well... Greetings.
Im telling you man, when the chance is available you should check out Disco Elysium, not entirely sure but you might like it, would love the hear your take on it
Weird I recently randomly decided to replay Enter the Matrix e a little bit on my PS2 Emulator a few days ago and now you're doing a video on the games, weird coincidence. I'd love to see a video on the Animatrix though, it's the best Matrix film in my opinion, for it's art and it's storytelling, there is a lot to unpack in it.
Hey Max, great video as always. Would you consider a video on Agent Smith and his necessity to Neo achieving the enlightenment you analyzed here. I imagine that as Neo relinquished his "self", Smith by contrast develops a "self"
Great video Max :D I can't wait to see what philosophical aspects the new Matrix movie might challenge (or if it becomes a cheap money-grabber, which I definitely don't hope) Also here Antoine-Leonard Thomas' little upgrade to Descartes famous line. dubito, ergo cogito, ergo sum I doubt, therefore I think, therefore I am
Max, have you ever heard of the show “Lodge 49?” It was cancelled after two seasons but it has strong alchemical symbolism and jungian archetypal imagery and motifs. I would love to hear you do an analysis of it, either episode by episode, or as whole (but that would be a very difficult task indeed). That’s my suggestion for your next piece for psychoanalysis.
I love The Matrix movies and even though this is about the games I’d love to see you cover the 3rd movie because the amount of biblical allegory in it is unbelievable as in all the movies but especially the 3rd, the ending had me legitimately crying from how powerful it is. Love you man you’re one of my favorite creators❤️
There was a Half Life mod called "the Specialists" back in the day and it is still one of my favorite Matrix themed games of all time. If you know, you know
I loved playing that game growing up! How about you check out the perspectives of the characters and why they view things the way they do. Considering how Jung, Gurdjieff, Nietzsche, etc. play a role in the Matrix theme, it would be good to look into the details of such subjects and how it all corelates in the whole trilogy including the Animatrix. Keep up the good work!
Hello Max. Interesting content. About games that make you think, I strongly recommend you look into the Legacy of Kain/Soul Reaver series if you haven't already done so. I just subscribed. Great work! "Free will is a illusion" -Kain
Are you going to analyze "Twelve Minutes"? I wouldn't normally ask because I don't think there is much to the story but since I heard Hideo Kojima apparently really like this game, I was kinda curios as to why?
I remember the commercial like yesterday they dissed the King Kong game while it showed the Neo Vs Giant Smith and it saying something like "Why play as a giant ape." Or something lol
Since there is a P5 video on the chanel, would be really cool to have an SMT nocturne one. Nocturne has a lot of subtlety on it's themes and there is so little thematic discussion content about it on RUclips. Also it would be nice to hear your perspective on it.
I remember finishing the game as a kid, being completely flabergasted with the giant smith and so on, but hen the scene appears and I was: Did they just explain the hole franchise from their own words??? The real deal, Loved it
Dude... nooo... They're postmodernists. They just talk gibberish that sounds profound, but really isn't. At all. What they were saying is: "Neo is at the end fight. In the movie he sacrifices himself to save the world because he's Jesus and Buddha at the same time. But because this is a video game, here you go, have a Kaiju gigasmith to fight. You are welcome."
And if you are wondering why Postmodernism is like that, basically, when everyone and their dog started to go to university, philosophy departments at universities got overrun by midwits and critical theory commies who couldn't ever possibly contribute anything to actual philosophy, but those people still spent 10 years accruing student debts and at least wanted to sound smart. So they generate this obscurantist gibberish, to sound profound and hide the fact that they have nothing interesting to say. It's claimed to be done ironically, and maybe it sometimes is, but overall it's just that: Midwits trying to sound smart.
I appreciate your thoughts, but I can't help but feel like you're coming at this from a place of "good-faith bias". That is to say, you seem to be taking the Wachowskis at their word, rather than considering that they may be wrong, or presenting these ideas for the sole purpose of entertainment. Satori isn't freedom from physicality. It's an experience we can have right here, right now. There's no need to transcend anything because Buddha-nature is here, now already. Jesus didn't surrender on the cross, either. He was left helpless, wondering why his dad abandoned him. Further, it's not clear at all what the first and second paths would be. Free will and fate? But then they propose a "choice of a third path", which means the Wachowskis embrace free will (keyword: choice), and "peace" is merely one of the options on offer. The "third path" is then merely an attempt at rejecting determinism, by distracting from the fact that both free will AND determinism can deliver peace (for instance, Daoism is very compatible with determinism, and it's a pacifist current). To my eyes, you're making an effort at genuine analysis of what's ultimately pseudo-intellectual word salad. The claims they make are nonsense from the get-go, and predicated on assumptions that prove false upon surface-level analysis.
Fair enough. Or, you could just look yourself and examine movies and their video games only viewing them as just bullet sponge blockbuster, cyber dystopian techno-thriller film with the first idea of 'bullet time', binary code, gender themes and not actually garner anything else besides those at a surface level. But, from your comment, Phil N., are you saying Max wasted his time and could have done a different video?
@@dasuero7489 not really. The video was enjoyable and entertaining. All I'm pointing out is that it's worth reviewing both the content and the context. The context changes the meaning of the content quite significantly in this case. I suppose what I'm getting at is that it could do with the same treatment as the MGS videos Max made, where he discusses not only the content presented, but also the context in which it appears. The MGS2 video stands out in this respect, in particular.
Jesus wasn’t wondering why His Father forsook Him. He was referencing Psalm 22, which starts ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ It’s a prophetic Psalm describing exactly what He was going through at the time of His crucifixion, written hundreds of years prior to the event. And no, He wasn’t helpless either. According to the biblical texts He’d surrendered Himself willingly for the salvation of mankind, and this was all according to plan.
I actually really enjoyed the new Matrix movie but to be honest I didn't think is going to be all that good after a long Hiatus we had but it was a good movie imo
I'm curious to see you about about Anarchsism in The Matrix, it's been a long time since I've seen the Matrix movies, but I always see Marxisim themes in a lot of The Wachowskis and I've always been curious to hear your thoughs on Marxism as a philosophy.
If we DID have free will, we would feel and act like we did. If we DID NOT have free will, we would still feel and act like we did. I posit that this is untestable.
Cause and effect means we don't have a free choice, we can only react to what happens to us. Neo broke this cycle by refusing to "react" or "being an effect to the cause". He did this by not fighting anymore, despite being told he was NOT the One. Because remember, if he was told he were the One, he would simply act accordingly, therefore be another effect to a cause. In other words the ONLY way to break the prison, was by CREATING the first FREE CHOICE. (Whether his choice to die was also just cause and effect is possible, making Neo's sacrifice another illusion for us)
Man the original matrix truly was a masterpiece. The sequels were good too just misunderstood by the masses. I need to rewatch them. Haven’t seen them in like 20 years
Is there ever a moment where it is necessary to stop your psychological development? I get that the goal is reaching truth, but it’s an ever moving goal that is both illusive as it is changing, but would it be practical to halt all development of concepts to achieve a state of near enlightenment to prevent the only path forward being downward? I find myself asking this question more and more.
One thing that I think would be cool is if you made a video talking if trying to reach the self using machines is natural, because if you completely merge with the internet you would still need a hardware, what would happen if this hardware be destroyed? And thus would be like living a lie like matrix?
Oooooh! That's a very good question! If one achieves the "Self" artificially, instead of naturally, could one be pulled away from it if that hardware was destroyed. You just asked a question that I'll probably be contemplating for the next little while. Thanks! :P
I just want to say it has been such a long time since a movie premiere got me excited, I allready like The Matrix 4 just for letting me feel excited for a movie again, feels like I'm a kid watching that trailer! also, how great would it be if Platinum did a matrix game!
That means that Neo really didn't die, he transforms into a software which One? "Everything that has a beginning has an end." This means that placing an endline at his program/life could provide the transition from man to machine, from man to software. Neo carries the "prime program" that is the program that allows him to make all that stuff since the beginning, his prime program is the Architect's code. When they first plug Neo in the training sessions they say he's a machine, not human. And this is repeated by the Architect when they first meet, "Despite... You remain irrevokably human". (Despite the process of knowing himself better). In that room he's inside himself like a game of mirrors, with his inner self in front of him). At the final meeting of the Architect with the Oracle we are seeing Neo as the neo (New 1) One new upgrade with the shell of the Architect. However he's now a machine and thinks and acts as a God for the good of everyone connected or not connected to the Matrix. Older ones/Architects that refused deletion were the Merovingian, son of the first Matrix (Lucipher) , Architect in the second, exile from the third... Seraph was 99% the third one, what worked with the Merovingian rebuilding Zion. Final Hint: On Resurrections Neo is the mind behind the creation of The Matrix.... videogame.
I tried playing Path of Neo about 3 months ago. it launched in 4:3. I went to settings and changed the resolution to 1600x900. The screen went black. I quit and started again. The screen was always just black from then on, so i uninstalled it, since I knew it's not that good (gameplay-wise) anyways =D
Haha, Im actually playing Enter the Matrix right now, came back to it after ~10 years. I love it and hate it at the same time, previously I only loved it. ;)
This video really reminded me of the lore of some of my favorite ttrpgs You known if Max is at all interested in tabletop games that have themes related to the kinda stuff he likes to talk about he should look into Unknown Armies 2e and Kult especially the earlier editions of it. The theme of enlightenment is especially important for Kult. But unknown armies is great form jungian fans
“There are no choices. Nothing but a straight line. The illusion comes afterwards, when you ask "why me?" and "what if?". When you look back and see the branches, like a pruned bonsai tree, or forked lightning. If you had done something differently, it wouldn't be you, it would be someone else looking back, asking a different set of questions.” -Max Payne (Max Payne 2)
jesus christ
Great to see a max payne quote here
We feel limited because we look back on our limited past actions and see how little we've seemingly chosen to get to where we are when in reality it's not a matter of choice but a matter of scope, and what perspective does to how we see it and understand it
It’s weird. Are any of us really who we thought we would be? I’ve accomplished a decent amount in my 35 years, but I feel almost the same as I always have. Society and my environment have aged me with their expectations of what I should be and how I should act. Responsibility and the consequences for not earning a living dictate my daily life more than free will.
@@sirownzalotgaming3025 I'd say around 6 years old we leave our true selves and start the personas seeking acceptance, attention, affection etc. thanks to a shitty Education system. Just feeds the ego
There isn't another person on earth who I wouldn't love more to hear talk about the Animatrix than you bro! Please make a video on the Animatrix.
Yes please!
Yooooo! Yes!!!
Yes please and thankyou.
yes !!!!
Yes, please, & thank you.
The Matrix online wasn't just popular; it was CANON!
Everything that happened in game, canonically took place in the greater Matrix storyline. The GMs and devs even got the some of the in game guild equivalents involved in in game events and storylines. It was magical.
So like.. when are we gonna jump on that emulated server? lol
Enter the Matrix becomes an incredibly fun game if you don't do the following 2 things:
1. use weapons
2. disarm people
By only relying on hand-to-hand combat and bullet time the game turns into a really fun challenge.
It direly needed a couple more months of development time though, given how unfinished everything is... I still love it nonetheless.
i loved the hell out of Enter The Matrix, the cheat system was really neat too
Man, I could watch these videos for days. I think I could chat with you endlessly in for real life lol
Every time someone talks about Path Of Neo I just want a remake with improved controls
There is a possibility of that happening if the new movie does well in the box office.
Completely forgot that speech, as a kid I just thought it was funny because of the context but this is a really good explanation.
The hacking minigame/side game might be worth analysing from the perspective of fourth wall breaks and the way it makes you want to uncover more information.
The eventual guidance from someone who has knowledge of the Matrix (which sets you back to square one but with the eventual ability to alter the game) could be seen as thematically similar to Neo's path as well and hence enlightenment.
TL;DR hacking game is cool, actually
On the topic of “I think therefore I am” vs “something thinks”, distilled even further, it’s just “I observe”. The human experience is just experience. That is one think that I can be sure of. If anything, I’m watching a pretty cool movie. Whether it’s story is fated or not, it is something to find meaning and beauty in like a work of art that was set in motion by cause and effect.
But yeah, love your stuff, thank you for sharing your perspective!
Excellent video! Thanks for making it and bringing it to our attention, this is really valuable.
"Choice. The problem is choice... she stumbled upon a solution whereby nearly 99% of all test subjects accepted the program as long as they were given a choice even if they were only aware of the choice at a near unconscious level."
The previous quote from Reloaded has resonated in my head for years and tonight the bell was rung again. I have been watching Milton Friedman's Free to Choose series (about free-market economics) over the last few weeks and I came across this video tonight. At the conclusion of this video the Architect scene blanketed my mind and I've sat here, staring off into space for the last hour pondering the implications of "choice" on the human condition. If anyone has any thoughts about choice please share.
And, thank you Max! Your videos inspire great conversations!
I have a conjecture on that. An informed one, but limited by my experiences nonetheless.
I don't think there is Choice. But I don't think there isn't one, either. We are the result of a chain of events, generations of evolution, bound by our genetics and experiences. If one chooses to buy candy, the reason for that could be traced all the way towards things far out of our control. We could say, in this example, the person bought candy because they like it. They like it because it makes them calm down when anxious. It makes them calm down because their father once gave them candy during an anxious breakdown because the man didn't know how to react otherwise, making the child associate candy with emotional comfort. The father didn't know to react otherwise because of his father before that....... Where I'm getting at is, even the act of buying candy is a consequence of events far beyond one's control. Everything we do, everything we feel, everything we choose, it's all consequences of a complex system of events interacting with each other. Following this thought, in theory, a higher being who could see all could predict who our children will be from all the connections they would be subject to during their lives.
But then, if we come out of this macroscopic view, isn't the act of buying candy a choice, even if it is a result of a chain of events? Not the idea of free will as "I can choose whatever I want". We don't live in a blank space, we suffer from all kinds of influences. But it is a *kind* of choice, informed by what we know, what we have been influenced by.
One could argue that it isn't a choice if the person never had the option to *not* buy the candy because they are just doing what they have been influenced to do. But... I could agree to that, but there is a way out. You see, the person in this example bought the candy being unaware of the mechanics behind that choice. But what if they did?
According to Buddhism, enlightenment is achieved by the distancing of one's self from one's body. Not as a mystical "astral projection" kind of way (not necessarily), but as a recognition that your self is beyond the limitations of your body. You are not your pain, you are not your genetics, you are not mental ailments. It's when you aren't being controlled by your limitations, but are fully aware of them, watching them "from outside", in a state of mindfulness, acceptance, and contempt. And if you achieve some level in a scale of enlightenment, then, following this train of thought, you do have a Choice. If you know why you want to buy the candy, if you can see the tapestry that lead to that moment, you have power over it, you can choose to buy, or not buy the candy.
But then again... isn't your enlightenment a consequence of the events that lead you here? :)
I believe this is the point Neo found himself. To fight or to give in, doesn't really matter. But it matters. It's all the same, but it isn't. It is a choice, but it is fate. He became One - not as a "Chosen One", but One with the Matrix. He has no control, but in that lack of control, he found he has *all* the control. He achieved enlightenment.
Well, that's my take on the meaning behind that and behind life itself. Also, I just wanted to mention Friedman is boss. :P
On a collective level, deniying some forms of sacred liberty seems to enclined people to some forms of violence. The situation tends to both stimulate endogeneous crisis, and avoid resolution of exogenous ones. As a consequence it seems to turns people into two different states. Either a large part of it gets transformed into a form of collective hypnosis (or "blue pilled" in Matrix) ; or a minority of it gets awakened to follow the path of truth.
I reckon this is where the question of "choice" gets its recognition. As previous matrix versions lacked this very feature, it definitely, in my opinion, spiritually oppressed individuals to the point where this very notion of sacred liberty is lost. The system lacked a certain dynamic, and thus completly collapsed on its own. By enabling some key figures, with the likes of Morpheus, the Architect/Oracle couple allow individuals a form of choice. The choice to know and seek the truth, certainly induced by an individual form existential crisis.
This is where the Path of Neo is interesting. Let's say the "blue pilled" individuals are the hypnosed people which does not seek awakening. Then let's jump to the "red pilled" of Zion. Only a few persons like Neo seems to understand that another kind of hypnosis is set there. The Wachowskis sisters show us that another question of "blue/red pilled" individuals can be interpreted here. There is a question of iteration : a minority is getting the choice to follow the path of truth, a different state of mind occurs in them, this minority will form a potential majority of a new collective, then a minority of it is getting to the choice to follow the path of truth...etc
Neo seemed to reached a state where he understand this form of iteration process to the ultimate level. He seemed to resolve a tricky question : what if the path of truth actually leads to another box, and another one, and another one...always deceiving its observers. There will always be a tangible structure, thus a form of control, thus a form of illusion of choice. So in my opinion the Neo's epyphany leads him to the conclusion of accepting the dichotomy "the only choice is to not make a choice", to create its own path. Max Derrat's video explained it with better terms. But my attention is now focused to the state of Neo here.
Let me briefly explained my train of thoughts. I think it is structured like the three metamorphoses story of Nietzsche. As if the "blue pilled" people trapped into the Matrix where actually stuck into their "camel" state. Then the one from Zion, unaware of the Architect/Oracle strategy, were stuck in a state of "lion". Some individuals will make the choice (Neo) to go deeper into the question, thus entering into the third metamorphose : the "child" one.
In a nutshell, a collective system enduring denial of choice will collapsed on its own. The question of choice, intertwined with the notion of sacred liberty, will then transforms a minority of individuals, altering them spiritually (like the Nietzsche metamorphoses). To finally reach a final point : whatever the system, our human condition seems to ultimately accept every choice, action,... as unpure or irrelevant. A new definition of sacred liberty is created by these individuals, by creating their very own notion of choice, their very own definition of existence.
@@SirZelean You put a lot of thought into your response. Thank you. I do agree that our choices are heavily influenced by social conditioning but I dont think that indicates determinism.
As for Neo-- My concept of Neo's program/avatar/character was as the ultimate "defender" of the Matrix, i.e., Neo "appears" when the system is about to collapse and saves it (balances the equation). Neo is "activated" when "discovered" by the Red-Pills. He then co-opts their group and reboots the Matrix with new and better forms of social control. Neo is a Matrix Optimizer.
This is what I think is taking place in Matrix 4... the movie is the 8th iteration of the Matrix and different criteria (social conditions) are required to "activate" Neo this time.
@@pulcherrimanostalgia Very insightful! I harken back to Eric Fromm's Escape From Freedom and his thesis of negative and positive freedom. Preference for 1. freedom "from" or 2. freedom "to' depends on personality type and social conditions.
No freedom (choice) is oppressive, whereas (counter-intuitively) too much freedom may also be oppressive.
Does your statement, " A new definition of sacred liberty is created by these individuals, by creating their very own notion of choice, their very own existence..." indicate the belief that "truth" is relative?
@@b1-66er6 I didn't know Erich Fromm. Thank you for bringing that up.
I believe your question regarding a form of relativity towards "truth" is insteresting. I would say that its answer implies two lines of thought: individual and collective.
First we can focus our thoughts throughout an individual dimension. I reckon that a lot of people experienced through their live some moment of individual existential crisis. Some psychologists, as the likes of Irvin Yalom, have dedicated their works to concrete form of actions concerning this moment. There is always a question of consciousness, awareness, seeking of truth...that comes to mind. Every person experiencing this phenomenon will have the "choice" to look through the looking glass, getting a deeper and more truthful notion of what is happening. If not, the individual will kind of psychologically regress, setting a facade of deceptive psychological biases, helping him to overcome the event without the least damage (until the next crisis comes...). Let's focus a little more on those who have definitely "choose" the path of truth. As they surpass the crisis with a deeper notion of (a quite concrete) truth, they now turn their mind into another deeper/higher box. This kind of rite of passage is well documented by C.G. Jung's works. In its process of individuation, he will potentially traverse some steps (inspired by the alchemy world): white → black → yellow → red. When the invidual arrives at the red step ("rubedo"), he will discover a kind of truth, less tangible from our reality, a kind of spiritual/godly energy, sometimes called the "maya" by Jung's words, basically helping him to become one with god's conscious. This can be the ultimate individual search for "truth". As all the previous steps resulted to a concrete objective notion of it, then ultimatly turns into a phenomenological definition, only understood by its observer, transcending all notions of tangible reality to tease this godly/spiritual kind of state. Albert Camus also speaks about this forms of existential crisis leading its witness to questioning the bound of reality throughout a deeper spiritual lens.
Secondly we can think the question of relativity towards "truth" troughout a collective lens. This is were my previous comment and your mentioned source from Eric Fromm are relevant. Let's say that, indeed, the path of Neo reflects my previous says regarding the metamorphoses story of Nietzche. Neo goes from box to box, seeking the truth in each one, turning himself from a "camel" to "lion" then "child" state. Both Jung's notion of "rubedo/red work" and Nietzche's "child" state underline the importance of creativity, developing our own notion of truth. This is well defined by what I read from Eric Fromm's wikipedia pages: «This is the kind of freedom [... that] can be a destructive force unless accompanied by a creative element - 'freedom to' - the use of freedom to employ the total integrated personality in creative acts. This [...] necessarily implies a true connectedness with others that goes beyond the superficial bonds of conventional social intercourse: "...in the spontaneous realization of the self, man unites himself anew with the world..."». So by what we gathered previously, one can say that every step of Neo to understand its reality and structure leads to a concrete new notion of truth. Tangible and concrete truths: machines control the matrix, Orable/Architect couple control the prophecy and the people of Zion, etc. Then its last moment leads Neo to the ultimate question of choice, to were I stated that «A new definition of sacred liberty is created by these individuals, by creating their very own notion of choice, their very own existence.» This ultimate epiphany is also a type of godly/spiritual kind a state, creating its subjective notion of truth. But the main difference from my first point regarding individual crisis is here: here Neo has crafted its new state of mind by both individual and collective triggers. As individual existential crisis results into a subjective notion of truth only understood by its witness, here it can results into a subjective notion of truth potentially understood by other individuals from the collective.
Let me finally conclude my thoughts. I will say that:
- Everyone can experience individual crisis, eventually leading them from concrete truths, to a finally phenomenological individual and relative Truth. This can be the path of individual wisdom stated in Daoism.
- While experiencing previous mentioned steps, everyone can closely connect its indivual lens with a collective one. From the latter emanates the eventuality to deliver its own notion of Truth to everyone else, via a restricted, non-sayable, spiritual and symbolical meaning. This can be the return to cave from Plato, or even the hero's return to the village from Joseph Campbell.
I believe this is a common pattern from various religions for example. It all implies that truth is mainly unbiased. But at some point, truth can become subjective, only understood by its "creator". And in some way, when both existential individual and collective crises get intertwined into a single person, it can result to a potentially relative truth with trails of spiritual comprehension. It's up to the next individual to adhere ("chose"?) to it, and maybe seek it's own definition.
I remember that part.
'Well since this is a game and self-sacrifice isn't really cool, here's a giant enemy for you to defeat.'
Also now we know why Larry's avatar was pink.
Wait wait why are we calling her larry
@@clostridiumtetani9947 They used to be Larry. During the recording of this scene they are Larry. IMO OP was right regardless of what pronouns they use now, then when the pink sprite was chosen they were Larry.
Looks like the guy deleted his comment out of recognition of his over-reaction tho.
@@excelatrate Larry never existed. You do not exist as two people nor did you ever exist as the first when you literally have a condition that makes assuming and performing the first identity painful
@@clostridiumtetani9947 1st) You are wrong factually. If we could rewind time to whenever this scene was VO’d the person would’ve referred to themselves as Larry, regardless of your opinions.
2nd) Don’t speak for trans people. I have an ex that is trans, we are still friends and when she talks about her past pre-transition she refers to herself as a male because at the time, she was. I’ve actually never seen a trans person refer to their pre-transition self as who they are today which makes sense because it’s ridiculous.
3rd) this is just a personal opinion but I think we put WAY too much thought into identity, what even is identity? It’s just a way to categorize yourself, it doesn’t really matter.
@@excelatrate I am trans.
I speak for the vast majority of trans people in saying that, if you showed me a video that I was in, and constantly used my deadname whenever I showed up, that would, yes, be painful. Even if you used the right name in a similar video recorded after I had transitioned.
Max, your videos are absolutely incredible. You have no idea how much I anticipate each new release. Keep it up!
I would love to hear more about what exactly enlightenment IS, how neo would reach it, How exactly did Neo resolve the paradox? I listened a few times, but I just don't understand.
In any case, I love your videos so much! Keep going Max, thank you.
Enlightenment can only be reached by an act of surrender. You have to look past the boundary of what the world holds meaning in and see past the perceptions of truth we have defined. Things like anger, jealousy, revenge are all constructs that lead us on a path of fate because each emotion is under the control of causality. So if a individual can see past their own being or state of mind then it leads them one step closer to enlightenment. At least that's how I understand it.
He resolved the paradox by transcending the human condition. The paradox only applies to those who inhabit a body, but if you can transcend the body, the paradox doesn't apply to you. Maybe "resolve" isn't the most accurate term, but the directors chose it nonetheless.
Hopefully that cleared things up a bit? Thanks for watching and commenting! It helps me out a lot.
A Buddhist might say that life is "suffering" and the reason we suffer is because of our desires, attachments, and expectations. "Enlightenment" is the transcendence of suffering. Truly "letting go" of all desire, attachment, and expectation results in freedom from suffering a.k.a. "enlightenment". My very condensed understanding.
@@Azel49 for me it was understanding how 4th dimensional concepts interact with this reality. It seems so simple at first glance, they simply implant thoughts into humans through consciousness and the humans grant the thoughts power by thinking the thoughts or acting on the thoughts. But sadly people think I’m schizophrenic for this knowledge which is silly to me because I can’t see or hear things that don’t physically exist, I just understand where thoughts come from.
But there is so much more, that’s just base level.
@@TheGreyShaman What exactly do you mean by 4th dimensional concepts?
There is a way to look at the world where the question of free will vs. determinism is irrelevant. It's not even that complicated. No matter the basis of our choices, they still feel like choices, even if we have reasons for doing so. No matter the ulitmate cause of the decisions, they are still our decisions. Thinking about them as anything else is psychologically damaging and provides excuses for not fixing problems.
Cogito ergo sum? Does the "I" exist without the "we"?
@@b1-66er6 I don't think it's right to think about this as cogito ergo sum. It's simply a phenomenological view of choice, combined with the observation that determinism, when bad, is only bad because it is used as an excuse. Other than that, it is literally identical to a free will view.
In the evolutionary view, rationality appears to have evolved to justify modes of behavior to others (and oneself - cue Jung). Determinism doesn't hold up as a rational justification to not attempt to improve because chaos theory illustrates that nobody knows that when they make the claim (not least since some of them proceed to try to improve). Meanwhile, what it excuses is to suffer more than one would like, perhaps in a way that makes others suffer, too. To what end? Sloth?
As for Cogito Ergo Sum and "we": No "I" is known to exist without being born from a "we". Even so, from the point of view of the "I", the external world is traditionally doubted (as per Descartes appealing to God guaranteeing it because he could imagine God and presumed he couldn't imagine something greater than himself if it didn't exist and was also trustworthy, which does not obviously follow). What is not doubted is frustration and other forms of discomfort. For the individual, this discomfort actually proves that there is more to the world than the individual itself, or that otherwise "it" isn't one thing in any meaningful sense anyway (hence the later split into conscious/unconscious). Discomfort thus proves the world exists and justifies trying to find ways in which to exist in harmony with the world around - to avoid discomfort if nothing else, but perhaps in time, to aim for a higher form of harmony which justifies discomfort amidst the uncertainty. Even if not possible, it is worth trying for.
And that is where the "we" comes back in. When you doubt everything, you also doubt origin. It is on the justification above that you can even appeal to the "we".
In light of the evolutionary account of rationality it is probably worth noting that the "we" gives rise to the rationality "I" can use to doubt that the "we" exists in the first place. Ironic. All the same, rationality should hold in any world bound by rules, no matter how abstract those are. Even if the sole inhabitant is a permanent "I" with memory loss.
Mr. Derrat always gives me the best content. I’ve been following along ever since you were hanging out with the Badgers and I love your movie and game/ philosophy analysis content.
Amazing stuff dude.
Aahh I’m so hyped about this video and hearing that you will cover more Matrix content.
I grew up hearing from others how they disliked part 2 and 3 of the trilogy, but as I kept rewatching the series I discovered how vital and important they are for the completion of the story - and I feel this video highlighted it perfectly.
Also - feeling absolutely nostalgic about rewatching the end sequence of Path of Neo - which still might have been the most enjoyable video gaming experience I ever had.
Looking back at the mechanics now, it’s funny to observe how my mind had upgraded my memories over the past decade and a half, because I was pretty sure that it was an absolutely brilliant gameplay experience - until rewatching the clips today. 😅😅
Alright, it's been a while since I seen the Matrix series and I never played any of the games. It is nice to see a philosophy that can expand and teach people more than what can be found through conventional means. Overall, you made a great video and I appreciate these videos.
"I think therefore I am" is quite a peculiar statement. It seems to imply that if something doesn't think then it doesn't exist.
Your best videos are easily the Aion series... But I do love your personality and narrative style
I have a pet theory that in the 2nd matrix movie, the fight scene in the Frenchmans castle is the symbolic transition from eastern to western philosophy; they fight with every conceivable medieval weapon and after that is an EXSTENSIVE use of katanas, as well as a lot of ying/yang symbolism (which is admittedly already present, but increased with The Architect). Anyway, I have no way of really proving this since I know basically nothing about eastern philosophy/mythos, so feel free to tell me if I'm hilariously wrong or not.
this makes a lot of sense to me since the trilogy is like this union of east and west right, it has anime influence, kung fu, there are major buddhist and taoist themes during the entire course of the story, but it also has christianity, it's presented in a western world, in this kinda cyberpunk western dystopia, it's like trying to find a bridge between these philosophies and spiritual systems
I think your key insight here is that the fight scenes are representative of, if not quite a battle between alternative philosophies then, at least the collision of different points of view or perspectives.
Whether western or eastern, the philosophies of the Merovingian and the Architect are rational, or inherently dualistic which brings to mind the yin yang dualism of eastern Daoism which itself is mirrored in western Physics describing the interplay between potential energy and kinetic energy respectively.
But, if you take a look closely at the yin yang taijitu diagram of the "Neo" Confucian Chinese philosopher Zhou Dunyi, you'll find a monism at the heart of the yin yang dualities that transcends the rational or reason, hence the irrational "belief" of The Oracle.
Whilst on the subject of eastern philosophies, it is interesting to note that Yoga, in the Indian sense, means to "yoke together", which again invokes the transcending of dualities.
@@davelister591 The philosophers commentary of the films emphasizes that fights in the Matrix are battles of ideas and ideology while fights in Zion are of the body.
Maybe theres something to this body/mind dichotomy of the two worlds that Neo transcends by end of the second movie by being able to enter the Matrix without being physically hooked up to it and seemingly having Matrix like powers in "reality" and can see beyond the immediate physical world.
@@Tamacat388 : I suspect this mind/body dichotomy gets deep into metaphysics and is perhaps a nod to the fact that everything we know and understand about the "external" material "reality" comes to us via internal consciousness. Even Morpheus's description of the perceived world as 'electrical signals interpreted by your brain' puts the cart before the horse, all we know about neurophysiology is a product of consciousness. Akso, our identity as self placing a border between that which is external from that which is internal may be merely another duality of the Matrix that can be transcended albeit with difficulty.
@@raioh4747 : More perhaps than one suspects. The Forbidden Kingdom stars Jackie Chan as a somewhat Taoist fighter representing a dark feminine, long haired, might we say progressive personality type, who fights a pretty much equally balanced battle against Jet Li as a Buddhist fighter sporting a bald head representative of white, masculine possibly conservative personality type. NPs vs SJs if you're into the whole MBTI personality type index thing.
EDIT: Note the poster for this movie depicts Li looking up towards the Sky Father in Heaven whereas Chan looks downwards towards the Earth Mother or Nature.
Okay, I officially need to watch The Matrix. With that said, if Max is in the Matrix, does it become a MAXtrix? 😂. Okay, jokes aside, good job, my Lord! 🧜🏼♀️🙏🏻
You really need to, Kalypso. The first Matrix is one of the best movies ever!
@@maxderrat thank you, Lord of the Maxtrix. I shall obey your orders 🙏🏻
Wait you never saw the Matrix?
sudo rm -f 'Kalypso deepsea98'
...i'm sorry, it had to be done ;)
@@bologna3048 Hell, the list of movies I have to see is long. I just don't have the right friends for this kind of sci-fi/action movies 😅
@@bologna3048 And Sudo Pacman -S cmatrix :P
My exploration of this particular rabbit hole began with my reading of Thus Spoke Zarathustra, particularly the chapter on "The Three Metamorphoses" of the spirit.
Potentially infinite paths, same mountain.
I only wish I discovered you earlier. Thank you for very much for much needed videos and observations. I hope this "new" comment will push the algorithm to recommend your videos to more people. Peace ✌️
I miss this game. Couldn’t get past the last part.
I always had trouble with the seraph part and the Kung Fu red ants
@@thotslayer9914 Huh?
@@thotslayer9914 Why?
@@thotslayer9914 Well then yes I am since you asked.
@@thotslayer9914 I’m always down for that. You? Everyone should. Nobody does anymore.
Awesome video, Max!!
I enjoyed Enter the Matrix for the most part but yeah it's final products lack of polish even for that era of gaming was about the most memorable thing for me. Thus,I never played the others.
I've heard of the Cartesian thing but have never had it explained so even though I'm going to go briefly look it up, I'd love to see a future video on it from you.
Max... speaking of transcendence and ridiculousness... have you ever played Asura's Wrath? It's spectacularly underrated and well done. Admittedly, it does have one DLC required for the true ending, but it's more than worth it.
I remember that moment exactly! i was always wondering about that paragraph. Thank you very much , i found explanation in a very unusual place and so many years later
Alright "MAX" stop hogging all the brain cells around here. 😒😂 Awesome video!
This fits well here I think....
Matrix trilogy interpretation:
Was Sati really "The One" after all?
Sort of..... All the characters in The Matrix trilogy represent either key archetypes or smaller aspects of an individual psyche, major ones being; Neo the ego, Smith the shadow, Trinity love, Morpheus the mystic, The Merovingian a cynic/sophist, The Architect a rational intellect, The Oracle an empathic heart, Mifune the warrior etc., with the psyche itself possibly represented by the Nebuchadnezzar hovercraft. Their power and influence, in essence if not reality, have to die to liberate Sati the child/spirit. Neo's battle with the machines is the ego's psychological war with the despotic nature of social institutions and authority personified by the agents who defend those institutions and power, i.e. the individual separate egos of others. Neo's victory over Smith at the end of the first movie is NOT enlightenment, that doesn't occur until the end of Revolutions and the liberation of Sati, it is merely Neo becoming "woke" in the parlance of our time, he remains still trapped in The Matrix. This is attested to by Neo being asleep at the beginning of all three movies, and, his seeing everyone in The Matrix ultimately being taken over by the devil incarnate represented by Smith, who Neo is compelled to do battle with. Neo chooses to continue fighting, but physical and psychological exhaustion make the end inevitable, thus resolving the paradox of Neo having both freewill but also a fated destiny. Neo's final self sacrifice as The Saviour of Mankind, ultimately defeats Smith, by his recognizing the same egoic motivations in himself i.e. Neo becomes just another Smith, and hence, humanity is finally Redeemed or forgiven, thus fulfilling the prophecy of The One and an end to "the war in heaven", or discontent of the mind, as the Matrix is reset.
Interesting analysis, very psycho-theological. Do you think it is possible that Sati is the Oracle version 8.0? That Matrix 4 takes place in Sati's world, i.e., the 8th iteration?
@@b1-66er6 : Thanks. I'm sorry the jury is still out on what Matrix 4 might be about. I've heard interesting ideas about Neo now being an actor who played the part of Neo in the original movie trilogy which itself appears in the new Matrix, all very meta. Apparently, there is also a younger actress whose long blond locks have been shawn and dyed to be more like those of the original Trinity, who might be a stand in for the young Trinity. In this scenario, Neo the middle aged actor might have undergone some existential crisis precipitated by playing the role of original Neo and pontificating on its meaning - making the new Matrix about mental health issues perhaps.
I'm wondering however, given Lana Wachowski's stated motivation in making the new movie being dealing with the passing of her parents, whether or not this new movie is actually not so much a Matrix movie at all but rather a post mortem narrative in the vein of What Dreams May Come or Lost, where Neo, in some sort of purgatory, has to work out residual unresolved psycho-spiritual issues before moving on. This again might then be the story narrative, to allegorically portray some form of post satori malaise/melancholy.
As for The Oracle - I think her role is perhaps the personification of scripture - so The Bible. In this case she may appear in the new matrix though I can't see how Sati being the new Oracle would work in this context.
@@davelister591 Agree, there is no way of knowing what the Matrix 4 holds in store, but my conjecture about Sati is based on the trailer moment when Neo is in the bookstore and a young woman, bearing a resemblance to Sati, gives him a copy of Alice in Wonderland and it seemed like Sati was the Oracle's protégé in Revolutions.
@@b1-66er6 : Well Hinduism with its Vedas, spawned Buddhism with its Tripitaka, and the Jewish Torah spawned the Christian Gospels, so not impossible to have the Oracle as the personification of one body of scripture giving rise to Sati as the personification of another. Food for thought.
EDIT: ...and Alice in Wonderland is nothing if not an iconic example of Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey.
EDIT2: Sati could reference the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta a Buddhist text, or perhaps the Hindu Goddess Sati related to the practice of self immolation of widows on their husband's funeral pyre which could see this character getting married, losing her husband and giving birth to Hiram Abiff - the Architect 😉
I just searched for “the matrix” and I’m glad that I found your video is the first result.
I think you should really read The Sickness Unto Death by Kierkegaard, if you haven't already. It kind of discussing the things you talk about but in a much more theological and existentialist way. Definitely one of my favorite philosophy books
I love Kierkegaard, I will check this out.
Is this moment really all that profound? It’s just a condensed reiteration of the themes from the movies lol, it’s not ad if it has any sort of new perspective on them either
This doesn't hype my for the 4th film, just makes me wonder why it even bothers to exist at all lol
Also glad you mentioned Matrix Online, I hadn't thought about that game in ages and I had a brief time on it during a free trial a loooong time ago, then the servers oddly shut down. I went searching to see if there's an Emulator of it and there is, but there's like a handful of people that play it. Should probably change that tbh, that game was fun.
Agreed, this just seems like some mealy-mouthed cash-in of a movie.
Many people don't seem to realise it's okay to disagree with established creators, or even to lose faith in them entirely. They think you *have* to stick by them, no matter what, and that is a dangerous precendent.
I have the exact opposite feeling in this regard. Part of what is touched on in the games and movies, even moreso directly in the MMO and Animatrix, is the rebooting of the software (the revolutions). Matrix 4 very obviously takes place in one, but what makes it so much more interesting in that respect is how this new Matrix is now truly 1:1 with reality. Our *modern* reality. As Baudrillard points out, the simulacra and simulations of our world need to update to achieve relevancy, so even copies must evolve to meet the standards of those they are meant to appease. That seems to be the point this new movie is trying to make: what happens when enlightenment brings you right back to square one. But hey, everyone's got their own stance on it, so you do you, yknow? Either way, we got a good four movies out of this franchise before this new one, so it's still a win for us.
@@Kainlarsen I think the trailer we have right now hints at a lot of cool things the movie could do. And the ending to the third movie is pretty weak. The series starts at fighting the Power but ends in detente brought about by a complete accident of Smith getting to swole or whatever. And that achieves some sort of peace.
I think the fourth movie is gonna be pretty meta. With the idea that the current Anderson is some rando made to look like Neo within the Matrix and starred in movie recreations of the previous revolution and is given some sort of construct of Trinity for some reason. Possibly another means of controlling him since shes wearing the same collar around her wrist that the cat has in the therapists office.
The forefronting of the blue and red pills is making me think that the film is also going to comment on how the ideas and iconography of the Matrix has been digested in the real world in ways that the creators clearly didnt intent.
Or I could be totally wrong and its Force Awakens Part 2 but cant we give Lana Wachowski some artistic credit? I mean she went on to make Speed Racer, Cloud Atlas, and Sense8 why this bizzare assumption from everything that shes playing it safe?
Simulation Theory would be a great video topic! You're awesome, Max! Keep it up!
Your video inspired me to go rewatch the films and pay attention to the ideas and perspectives of each of the characters. In the second movie the oracle said something that stuck with me. I don't remember the exact line but during the park bench scene she pointed out to Neo that he had already made the choice wether to save Trinity and that he was only there to understand the choice. To me it felt like a soft version of determinism. I thought to myself "Every choice I have ever made or will make has already been decide. Not by fate but by myself" We might not always understand the choices we make but we were the ones to make them.
Have you played Persona 3 yet? It also shares a lot of the themes and imagery you spoke about in this video, seeing as the game's main theme is about death and overcoming it. Would love to hear your thoughts on it.
I second that!
Amazing video !!
So good! thank you Max! 😀
Great video!
damn ol I watched at least 4 of your vids loved them all just found out u the same guy, good shitttt, just watched all the matrixm ovies a week ago w/o knowing ab the new one this shit gonna be sick
“Just remember to f-
Free your mind”
I fell for that one!
Even though some time has passed since the release of this video, yet given the fact that you cover different sorts of media in terms of philosophy and human nature/social traits, video games including, if possible I'd like to watch your take on System Shock series. I personally think that the world crafted for the franchise creates lots of opportunities for a singular and yet universal analysis of its own, as lots of refferences could be found in it, whether it's the god/superiority complex of SHODAN, the complexity and collectivism of The Many, the roles of Hacker/Soldier in their respective set of events, etc. Considering your profound moment analysis of Metal Gear Solid 2, which is extraordinary, no doubt about it, I'm just very interested to see your insight and interpretation of SS. And given the Deus Ex cutscene implemented in this video, I guess I couldn't ask for it in a better place.
Best to you Max. I may not be your subscriber (as I do not share the interest in following everything the creator makes, I'm very selective about the videos I watch on the platform), nevertheless I enjoy your videos and I'm very thankful for such a diversity in topics and media coverage. Hope you'll read this comment as well...
Greetings.
Im telling you man, when the chance is available you should check out Disco Elysium, not entirely sure but you might like it, would love the hear your take on it
The last release of a game I actually really enjoyed.. 2020 and 2021 have been uneventful for me
Played this to death when i was younger strangely forgot till i saw this Video. Cool to know it was one of the better movie games.
Weird I recently randomly decided to replay Enter the Matrix e a little bit on my PS2 Emulator a few days ago and now you're doing a video on the games, weird coincidence. I'd love to see a video on the Animatrix though, it's the best Matrix film in my opinion, for it's art and it's storytelling, there is a lot to unpack in it.
Enter the Matrix for me was complete trash, but Path of Neo? Loved it back then, loved it last year ^-^ It has some issues, but I love it so much.
I love this channel. However I'm concerned with doing videos on the matrix. The authors seem to have two stories about what the movies were about.
The great thing about art is that it can mean more than one thing to millions of different people, including the creators.
Why are you concerned about this?
There is no one path, neo.
I mean the movies are huge and can be defined in many different ways.
Hey Max, great video as always. Would you consider a video on Agent Smith and his necessity to Neo achieving the enlightenment you analyzed here. I imagine that as Neo relinquished his "self", Smith by contrast develops a "self"
What’s also super meta is that the sprites are purple and magenta, showing us what they see as their true selves.
Great video Max :D I can't wait to see what philosophical aspects the new Matrix movie might challenge (or if it becomes a cheap money-grabber, which I definitely don't hope)
Also here Antoine-Leonard Thomas' little upgrade to Descartes famous line.
dubito, ergo cogito, ergo sum
I doubt, therefore I think, therefore I am
Max, have you ever heard of the show “Lodge 49?” It was cancelled after two seasons but it has strong alchemical symbolism and jungian archetypal imagery and motifs. I would love to hear you do an analysis of it, either episode by episode, or as whole (but that would be a very difficult task indeed). That’s my suggestion for your next piece for psychoanalysis.
I love The Matrix movies and even though this is about the games I’d love to see you cover the 3rd movie because the amount of biblical allegory in it is unbelievable as in all the movies but especially the 3rd, the ending had me legitimately crying from how powerful it is. Love you man you’re one of my favorite creators❤️
There was a Half Life mod called "the Specialists" back in the day and it is still one of my favorite Matrix themed games of all time. If you know, you know
I always loved that mod, didn't have any friends to play it with back then though so I would spend a lot of time just exploring the maps.
I loved playing that game growing up! How about you check out the perspectives of the characters and why they view things the way they do. Considering how Jung, Gurdjieff, Nietzsche, etc. play a role in the Matrix theme, it would be good to look into the details of such subjects and how it all corelates in the whole trilogy including the Animatrix. Keep up the good work!
You could cover Dark City. Think that's right down your alley if you can track the movie down.
Hello Max. Interesting content. About games that make you think, I strongly recommend you look into the Legacy of Kain/Soul Reaver series if you haven't already done so. I just subscribed. Great work!
"Free will is a illusion"
-Kain
Are you going to analyze "Twelve Minutes"? I wouldn't normally ask because I don't think there is much to the story but since I heard Hideo Kojima apparently really like this game, I was kinda curios as to why?
Hey Daddy! People have been recommending that game to me. Maybe I should check it out. Hmmm...
I hope they expand on the end of the last movie where morpheus wonders whether Zion was real or not
Yep, I thought they were going to find out they were in another matrix...
dude great channel greets from Bosnia
I remember the commercial like yesterday they dissed the King Kong game while it showed the Neo Vs Giant Smith and it saying something like "Why play as a giant ape." Or something lol
This is what I remember most from that game. Gave me my Matrix-tinted glasses for this game.
Fantastic video! Thank you so much for sharing.
Stay Yellow
You should do videos on the video games quantum break and control!
I love quantum break probably one of the most underrated games
I remember telling other kids about this in school
can you make video on RTS games? with philosophy
I love that a lot of people has been talking about this game recently! It’s awesome and needs a remaster
Oh! The memories about this are back!
That boss was an entertaining oddball for sure.
Ahhh. Larry making his sprite pink make sense now 🤯
Since there is a P5 video on the chanel, would be really cool to have an SMT nocturne one. Nocturne has a lot of subtlety on it's themes and there is so little thematic discussion content about it on RUclips.
Also it would be nice to hear your perspective on it.
Dude it was honestly one of my fave games for a while. The old timey samurai parts were the bees knees
I remember finishing the game as a kid, being completely flabergasted with the giant smith and so on, but hen the scene appears and I was:
Did they just explain the hole franchise from their own words???
The real deal, Loved it
SOMA, especially it's ending and middle point are my fav profound moments. And ofc mgs2
Dude... nooo... They're postmodernists. They just talk gibberish that sounds profound, but really isn't. At all. What they were saying is: "Neo is at the end fight. In the movie he sacrifices himself to save the world because he's Jesus and Buddha at the same time. But because this is a video game, here you go, have a Kaiju gigasmith to fight. You are welcome."
And if you are wondering why Postmodernism is like that, basically, when everyone and their dog started to go to university, philosophy departments at universities got overrun by midwits and critical theory commies who couldn't ever possibly contribute anything to actual philosophy, but those people still spent 10 years accruing student debts and at least wanted to sound smart. So they generate this obscurantist gibberish, to sound profound and hide the fact that they have nothing interesting to say. It's claimed to be done ironically, and maybe it sometimes is, but overall it's just that: Midwits trying to sound smart.
Fourth wall breaks? Slow-mo gun fights? Reminds me of Max Payne, would like to see a video on that.
Plus that kung-fu mod for it was a ton of fun.
Great video. I loved the ending of the Matrix Trilogy. I saw it as his surrender to and integration of his Shadow (Smith)
I remember this part and being totally blown away even when i was a little kid.
Can you make a video over the ani-matrix
I appreciate your thoughts, but I can't help but feel like you're coming at this from a place of "good-faith bias". That is to say, you seem to be taking the Wachowskis at their word, rather than considering that they may be wrong, or presenting these ideas for the sole purpose of entertainment.
Satori isn't freedom from physicality. It's an experience we can have right here, right now. There's no need to transcend anything because Buddha-nature is here, now already.
Jesus didn't surrender on the cross, either. He was left helpless, wondering why his dad abandoned him.
Further, it's not clear at all what the first and second paths would be.
Free will and fate?
But then they propose a "choice of a third path", which means the Wachowskis embrace free will (keyword: choice), and "peace" is merely one of the options on offer.
The "third path" is then merely an attempt at rejecting determinism, by distracting from the fact that both free will AND determinism can deliver peace (for instance, Daoism is very compatible with determinism, and it's a pacifist current).
To my eyes, you're making an effort at genuine analysis of what's ultimately pseudo-intellectual word salad. The claims they make are nonsense from the get-go, and predicated on assumptions that prove false upon surface-level analysis.
Fair enough. Or, you could just look yourself and examine movies and their video games only viewing them as just bullet sponge blockbuster, cyber dystopian techno-thriller film with the first idea of 'bullet time', binary code, gender themes and not actually garner anything else besides those at a surface level. But, from your comment, Phil N., are you saying Max wasted his time and could have done a different video?
Irony
@@caramelconundrum9280 What exactly do you mean? Are you referring to me?
@@dasuero7489 not really. The video was enjoyable and entertaining. All I'm pointing out is that it's worth reviewing both the content and the context. The context changes the meaning of the content quite significantly in this case.
I suppose what I'm getting at is that it could do with the same treatment as the MGS videos Max made, where he discusses not only the content presented, but also the context in which it appears. The MGS2 video stands out in this respect, in particular.
Jesus wasn’t wondering why His Father forsook Him. He was referencing Psalm 22, which starts ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ It’s a prophetic Psalm describing exactly what He was going through at the time of His crucifixion, written hundreds of years prior to the event. And no, He wasn’t helpless either. According to the biblical texts He’d surrendered Himself willingly for the salvation of mankind, and this was all according to plan.
have you thought about making a video on MatPat Matrix videos.
I actually really enjoyed the new Matrix movie but to be honest I didn't think is going to be all that good after a long Hiatus we had but it was a good movie imo
I actually really enjoyed the matrix video games very good imo I know that a lot of people didn't like it but I loved them
I'm curious to see you about about Anarchsism in The Matrix, it's been a long time since I've seen the Matrix movies, but I always see Marxisim themes in a lot of The Wachowskis and I've always been curious to hear your thoughs on Marxism as a philosophy.
1:45 is that candy, or is she just sat eating red pills? Is that a theory somewhere?
If we DID have free will, we would feel and act like we did.
If we DID NOT have free will, we would still feel and act like we did.
I posit that this is untestable.
You should make a video analyzing comparisons to it inspiration. The Invisibles by Grant Morrison
Thank you for this!!
I'd say before ascending through his own death he was freed to continue to the end after losing Trinity. Loss of love, loss of attachment.
Cause and effect means we don't have a free choice, we can only react to what happens to us. Neo broke this cycle by refusing to "react" or "being an effect to the cause". He did this by not fighting anymore, despite being told he was NOT the One.
Because remember, if he was told he were the One, he would simply act accordingly, therefore be another effect to a cause.
In other words the ONLY way to break the prison, was by CREATING the first FREE CHOICE.
(Whether his choice to die was also just cause and effect is possible, making Neo's sacrifice another illusion for us)
Man the original matrix truly was a masterpiece. The sequels were good too just misunderstood by the masses. I need to rewatch them. Haven’t seen them in like 20 years
Is there ever a moment where it is necessary to stop your psychological development? I get that the goal is reaching truth, but it’s an ever moving goal that is both illusive as it is changing, but would it be practical to halt all development of concepts to achieve a state of near enlightenment to prevent the only path forward being downward?
I find myself asking this question more and more.
One thing that I think would be cool is if you made a video talking if trying to reach the self using machines is natural, because if you completely merge with the internet you would still need a hardware, what would happen if this hardware be destroyed? And thus would be like living a lie like matrix?
Oooooh! That's a very good question! If one achieves the "Self" artificially, instead of naturally, could one be pulled away from it if that hardware was destroyed. You just asked a question that I'll probably be contemplating for the next little while. Thanks! :P
I just want to say it has been such a long time since a movie premiere got me excited, I allready like The Matrix 4 just for letting me feel excited for a movie again, feels like I'm a kid watching that trailer!
also, how great would it be if Platinum did a matrix game!
Me too! Matrix online with each playable character minted as an NFT on the blockchain.
That means that Neo really didn't die, he transforms into a software which One? "Everything that has a beginning has an end." This means that placing an endline at his program/life could provide the transition from man to machine, from man to software.
Neo carries the "prime program" that is the program that allows him to make all that stuff since the beginning, his prime program is the Architect's code. When they first plug Neo in the training sessions they say he's a machine, not human. And this is repeated by the Architect when they first meet, "Despite... You remain irrevokably human". (Despite the process of knowing himself better). In that room he's inside himself like a game of mirrors, with his inner self in front of him). At the final meeting of the Architect with the Oracle we are seeing Neo as the neo (New 1) One new upgrade with the shell of the Architect. However he's now a machine and thinks and acts as a God for the good of everyone connected or not connected to the Matrix.
Older ones/Architects that refused deletion were the Merovingian, son of the first Matrix (Lucipher) , Architect in the second, exile from the third... Seraph was 99% the third one, what worked with the Merovingian rebuilding Zion.
Final Hint: On Resurrections Neo is the mind behind the creation of The Matrix.... videogame.
I tried playing Path of Neo about 3 months ago. it launched in 4:3. I went to settings and changed the resolution to 1600x900. The screen went black. I quit and started again. The screen was always just black from then on, so i uninstalled it, since I knew it's not that good (gameplay-wise) anyways =D
Very good game with fun melee fighting.
Haha, Im actually playing Enter the Matrix right now, came back to it after ~10 years. I love it and hate it at the same time, previously I only loved it. ;)
Im so sad that we might never get your feelings or thoughts on the animatrix. I love that movie
Neo dies three times, is reborn twice and loves once.
This video really reminded me of the lore of some of my favorite ttrpgs You known if Max is at all interested in tabletop games that have themes related to the kinda stuff he likes to talk about he should look into Unknown Armies 2e and Kult especially the earlier editions of it. The theme of enlightenment is especially important for Kult. But unknown armies is great form jungian fans
You should look at a animated series called The Maxx it's really interesting.
I thought i was the only one who was a fan of that series
+1