Blogging Around

     I read Andy's blog post, "Dialectics: Ignorance and Knowledge", where Andy analyzed the two subjects and weighed their benefits. Here's what I said:

Andy,

      Once again you have written a blog post that I could relate to on an intellectual standpoint. I agree with you. To me, Cypher was the only "free" crew member of the Nebuchadnezzar who had any sort of sanity and logic. After experiencing two dynamically different lifestyles, one that was bleak and dangerous, and the other being hopeful and steak-filled, Cypher made the conscious decision to return to the Matrix and live a luxurious, peaceful life. The only criticism I have about his decision is that he endangered the lives of his peers. So overall, I'm on board with Cypher's intentions, and not his plan. I strive for happiness; I have stated before that it is my one and only goal. Therefore, Andy, I believe I would act as you would: to return to the Matrix. However, although happiness is what I strive for, I would hate to give up knowledge and embrace ignorance to achieve that happiness. This is a game of balance, one that both of us will have to deal with in the future. Bravo.


      Next, I read Kali's "Dialectics: The Conscious and Unconscious Mind", where Kali defined both mental states to the realities of the Matrix. In response to her words, I said:

Kali,

      I'm impressed you delved this deeply into the subject of the conscious and unconscious mind. To me at least, this is a topic which I find quite difficult to articulate with words. I have a few things to say that might mess with your mind a little bit. It is understandable how you associated the real, dark, and sentinel-infested world with the conscious mind and the Matrix with the unconscious one. However, is the Matrix world really unconscious? Literally, millions of human beings are by definition, unconscious, suspended in tanks of pink goo. But on the flip-side, is this unconscious state of mind directly reflected in the Matrix world? Is it safe to assume that these people are living unconsciously? Something about this assumption bugs me. First off, the subjects of the Matrix did not live a restricted, despotically influenced life. Everyone has choices in the Matrix. Let's say that you live in the Matrix, and there is a Subway and a McDonalds in front of you. Aren't you consciously making a decision to choose what you wanted for lunch? I agree with you on the basis that everyone's life within the Matrix is influenced by their unconscious selves outside of the Matrix, but it is interesting to see that in itself, the Matrix is a very conscious world. The Matrix is like a lucid dream: a subconscious extension of the unconscious, where consciousness is possible. Say that three times fast.