Meditations on the Matrix

            

                            The power of the human mind has been acknowledged and pursued for centuries. There has always been assimilation with the mind over matter, the idea that our mental capacities exceed our physical ones. Our thoughts, creativity and imagination carry limitless boundaries. These ideas are clearly reflected in the script of the motion picture The Matrix(1996). The experiences in the journey of the main character Neo, are based on ideas and beliefs of philosopher Rene Descartes (1596-1650). The arguments in his publication: “Meditations: On First Philosophy”(1641) support the mental phenomenon’s that occur in The Matrix.

The plot in The Matrix establishes evidences that I believe fully grasp Rene Descartes' main points in his Meditations. He describes Perception and the Imagination to have a great influence over our reality and way of thinking. “..General Things - eyes, head, hands and the like - could be imaginary, still one has to admit that at least certain other things that are even more simple and universal are true. It is from these components, as if from true colors, that all those images of things that are in our thoughts are fashioned, be they true or false.” (Descartes 20). Descartes helps justify Neo's confusion over the real world. During an event, where Neo is taken by agents, he is implanted with a bug-like robot through a large syringe in his abdomen, right after, we see he wakes up from his bed and examines himself, there was no physical injury or symptom present based on the injection. He struggles between remembering his dream and making a distinction whether this event was real or not. Only when he is contacted by Matrix hackers Morpheus and Trinity, then he is convinced that situation occurred because they help extract the harmful parasite out of his abdomen. Thus, Descartes philosophy coincides with The Matrix's combination of sensations that make an experience more mental than physical, and knowledgeable distinctions between material and abstract ideas and objects, along with doubt.

                            Neo clearly is doubtful in his initial approach to The Matrix. Morpheus welcomes him and explains to him they are in a simulation by the Matrix or "a Construct”, which is a computer generated loading program; a realm where experimentation and practice sessions takes place. He expresses disbelief and misconceptions on the way the world of the Matrix works, “right now, were inside a computer program?” with an absurd look he exclaims “This isn't real”. Morpheus responds “What is real? How do you define real? If you’re talking about your senses, what you feel, taste, smell, or see, then all you’re talking about are electrical signals interpreted by your brain”. Descartes shares a similar approach, “the power of self-motion and likewise of seeing or of thinking, in no way belonged to the nature of the body” (Descartes 28) concluding that they senses belong to the nature of the mind, and its anatomical responses. Throughout the simulations in the Matrix, Morpheus sets basic principles. He claims "If you can free your mind, your body will follow", illustrating the power of imagination over reality. The body will adapt to what the mind says; enabling unrestricted mobility and performance in high velocities.

(watch some of the cool high speed moves in real life!)




Morpheus also warns "The body cannot live without the mind", reinforcing the dependency between the two beings. If you are killed in real world, you die in the Matrix, and vice-versa.

                            Thomas E Wartenberg author of “Philosophy Screened: Experiencing The Matrix”, agrees with the dualist theory proposed by Rene Descartes. He evaluates and argues that “human beings are composed of two distinct substances, mind and body, that – despite their differences – are united together and somehow interact with each other in the human being” (Wartenberg 153). In addition Wartenberg brings forward and explains Decartes’ Deception Theory.  The theory describes the experience that our perception can be deceiving, making our senses focus on specific occurance which makes us disregard other things that are 

simultaneously happening, as if they were absent. 

                                                When Neo goes to Morpheus for guidance into the Matrix, he is presented with a choice to take either a red pill, or a blue pill. 

The red pill, offers an insight into the Matrix, and the blue pill makes the mind oblivious to the Matrix. Without these pills, one stays in a sort of mental limbo, being unable to transition between reality and imagination. Based on Rene Descartes meditations, I can interpret them as follows. The purpose of the pills would be a catalyst for primary mental effects, which lead into physical ones. The red pill would be to detach your mind from your body. As Morpheus states “You take the red pill and you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes” referring to the otherworldly mental and physical experiences that occur in such “Alices Adventures in the Wonderland”. The effect of the other pill would be described as “You take the blue pill and the story ends. You wake in your bed and you believe whatever you want to believe”. I would like to contribute the fact that, the blue pill would ultimately maintain a normal human anatomical structure, whereas the effect of the red pill drastically changes Neo’s form. The Matrix prescribes the need for a new body, in order to have a new expanded mindset. A physical attribute for a mental development. Moreover in order to be “plugged” into the Matrix, there has to be an outlet, which reflected on the red pill, appears in the back of the skull, connecting the Matrix to the brains cortex. 

There are other different in the body modifications as well. When integrated into the Matrix, one becomes "atrophied", which is the degeneration or decay of muscle or human tissue cells. Through acupuncture Morpheus rebuilds his anatomy in order to work accordingly in the world of the Matrix. 

                          In conclusion, many individuals are able to relate to the concrete facts and theories which Rene Descartes brings forward. This is evident in even a script for the film made by the Wachowski Brothers : The Matrix, and the protagonists journey through his own mind. His Meditations enable us to think about what we see and what we think of what we see, as we see it. Descartes famous statement "I think therefore i am", depicts the presence of thought to govern existence. Bringing forth a reasonable questioning of the experiences of the mind and the body.

Research Papers This Semester.

My Researching Skills during this cluster semester have, I believe, Re-Born. As a college freshmen, coming from high school , the researches done there are not sufficiently developmental towards an actual researching learning experience. To add on to this, I learned how to cite works through the required college norms : MLA Style, which I didn’t even know about before. I think Researching in general has made a huge impact on the way I see data, and interpret it. I learned in Psychology that the imagination and creativity are put into function when distributing and categorizing data, that then you have to elaborate on; which in essence is a Research Paper. The way you take information and strategically place it in paragraphs is a very important aspect of the research skill. Along with that, it was repeatedly put onto the test throughout the entire semester, so it really grew. I consider LaGuardia Media Research Center a valuable contribution to what my research skills are now. I like knowing that the Research Center is acknowledged and preferred by professors instead of using google which is just a search engine. When researching I notice that you look for key points that the author of the article is trying to make so you can match it, support your thesis. I have a hard time knowing when to put the quotes and how to introduce them, but at least through doing more papers, I can perfect my skills at it. Im glad I at least was introduced into the area of researching because it will be critical for new classes in the future.

Philosophy Screened: Experiencing The Matrix by Thomas E. Wartenberg

In this article Thomas E. Wartenberg discusses various themes that relate to The Matrix. He talks about Rene Descartes’ “Meditation” – where it talks about the differences between the mind and the body, and how they can be detached and work without corresponding to one another.(He makes references to the movie/story of Casper: The mind exists without the body, Casper the ghost doesn’t have a body.) He referenced Plato, saying that he believed that our souls could separate from our bodies.  He states  the existences of our god to be an Evil good, or evil genius. Contributing to the idea that our existence is just a set of games that god has put for us to fail. He argues how Philosophy can be transcribed and shown in movies, in this case the Matrix. There is a correlation between Neo’s body and his mind. When he takes the red pill, he goes into some sort of trance. Then he is awakened in a womb-like place, which Wartenberg argues is his mental realism of this new place called the Matrix. In order to go back and forth from the Matrix, he must sit down in a machine that is attached to the back of his head. This reinforces Descartes theory of the existence of the mind without the body. The Matrix is in the mind. Yet there is a relationship between the mind and the body in the Matrix. Physical damages caused in the Matrix are only reflected in the real world.

Jean Baudrillard's HyperReality Theory.

The Hyperreal is defined as the perseption of something bigger than reality. That we are just going through simulations and experiements of what we encounter throughout life and that is has all been mapped, based on our place in society. Baudrillard also discusses that we are only able to comprehend these simulations because we already have an idea of what is it based on television and the media.  It is just a matter of repetition. DisneyLand for example, is a place where people seem nice and is safe, but why isnt the Real world like this? it is considered to be just a simulation. Also reality television, how situations happen, and we come to our own conclusions on how we would have acted if it was us. It is all part of the hyperreality which we don’t have control over.

In more current terms, Facebook would be considered to be a simulation of hyperreality. We create profiles and upload pictures of ourselves, but does that really give a window into what we really are like? It is just an abstract image we manipulate to our advantage, which in this case, seems to be how many friends and likes you can obtain. This causes us to have a sense of satisfaction, based on our the online creation we bring to life.

If someone didn’t integrate into the Facebook trend, that persons reality would be different. The person wouldn’t have to worry what to post next, or what to take a picture of to show to friends.  It creates another lifestyle for that person,  enabling it to live sort of a double life: What you say or communicate in facebook doesn’t have to be true. In Hyperreality, any truth can be real.Reality becomes operational by the imagination.

How Wanderer Alice became Warrior Alice, and why" By Kristina Aikens

How Wanderer Alice became Warrior Alice, and why

                                      By Kristina Aikens

In this Article, Aikens compares the traditional cultural views of woman in society to the journey Alice takes in the stories of “Alice Adventures in Wonderland” and the Tim Burton’s Adaptation of “Through the Looking Glass”.

She argues that Alice is the first character who serves as a role model for women in that she isn’t tied down to domestic obligations. She emphasizes Alice’s sense of curiosity enables her to wonder places she normally wouldn’t be allowed to go to. Alice lacks self-control and follows her impulses, not worrying about the consequences of her actions. For example, indulges in things that are labeled “eat me” or “drink me”. Aikens also discusses how women aren’t known to engage in drug experimentation, and that “man would be secure enough in his identity to survive the destabilizing effect of hallucinogens”, rather than woman since they are considered inferior. In Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, Alice takes the role of a warrior, a role that only men are perceived to manage. Alice doesn’t have fear, and she isn’t worried about expressing her emotions and ideas, even in the face of authority. She doesn’t have any goals and is oriented on her own ideas and perceptions, and isn’t forced to do things she wouldn’t want to. 

Alice in Wonderland

Joelvis Collado           

ENG101

                                       Psychology behind Alice in Wonderland 

                                     Alice in Wonderland has been categorized under children’s fiction story, as a story about a girl in her world of imagination. The story has caught the attention of another crowd, Psychologists. There are many characters who display a majority of mental dysfunctions in the story. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) , in particular, happens to affect three characters in the story, the Duchess, the Queens of Hearts, and the White Hare. They seem to manifest a variety of different symptoms which is convincing that they suffer from OCD.

                                     Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a mental disease where an individual is compelled to repeat unnecessary, self appointed tasks. A person is obsessively repeating behaviors, or specifically arranging objects. Some examples of OCD are color doing irrelevant objects, repeat washing of hands for no reason, touching objects with different shaped edges, repetition of words or commands, getting to places before a given time. The actions are almost involuntary and become an everyday routine. People with OCD at times are aware that their behaviors are unnatural and abnormal, yet they cannot resist the urge to complete them. Whom who attempts to disregard these patterns may become paranoid, nervous, upset, unhappy, panicked, and irrational.

                                 The Character of the Duchess appears to be obsessively compulsive towards morals she establishes. During the story, Alice has an encounter with the Duchess, which is where the disorder reveals itself. Here the Duchess explains “Everything got a moral, if you can find it” which she urges to create in many scenarios. She assumes everything needs morals to ease her anxiety for order. Alice on the other hand disagrees with them, and finds it irrelevant and an annoying habit. The Duchess misinterprets Alice’s perceptions and makes morals according to her judgment, which isn’t correct based on the situation presented.

                                    The Queen of Hearts is one of the most arrogant, ill tempered, and sadistic characters in the whole story, yet it seems there is a reason behind her madness. The Queens seems to show a behavior that reveals she may have OCD. She repeatedly is driven to order executions to people who cause her stress. “Off with his/her head” is the exclamation the Queen orders as she is disobeyed, confronted, disputed or when someone makes an error towards her demands. Her repetitive requests provoke anxiety and anger. Her raves continue as a game is played and characters that lose are charged to be executed. A significant event occurs that suggests the queen is obsessed and completed to scream her death sentencing remarks. The game cannot continue because all of the players have lost and the King says “You are all pardoned” and no one appears to have proceeded with the beheading. They approached a Gryphon says “What fun”, ridiculing the Queen, Alice wonders his approach “what is the fun?” and the Gryphon explains, “Why she, it’s all her fancy that they never execute nobody…” and he also claims, “I never was so ordered about before in all my life, never!”, referring to the Queens beheading remarks. This leads to the conclusion that the Queen of Hearts has a Compulsive Obsessive Disorder.

                      

                                        The White Rabbit seems to be afflicted by OCD, as he takes critical awareness of his time consumption, leading him to become very anxious.

Psychology-Land

• Level I - pathological defenses (i.e. psychotic denial, delusional projection)
• Level II - immature defenses (i.e. fantasy, projection, passive aggression, acting out)
• Level III - neurotic defenses (i.e. intellectualization, reaction formation, dissociation, displacement, repression)
• Level IV - mature defenses (i.e. humor, sublimation, suppression, altruism, anticipation)

• Id: a selfish, primitive, childish, pleasure-oriented part of the personality with no ability to delay gratification.
• Superego: internalized societal and parental standards of "good" and "bad", "right" and "wrong" behavior.
• Ego: the moderator between the id and superego which seeks compromises to pacify both. It can be viewed as our "sense of time and place",

Distortion: A gross reshaping of external reality to meet internal needs.
Fantasy: Tendency to retreat into fantasy in order to resolve inner and outer conflicts
*Projection: Projection is a primitive form of paranoia. Projection also reduces anxiety by allowing the expression of the undesirable impulses or desires without becoming consciously aware of them; attributing one's own unacknowledged unacceptable/unwanted thoughts and emotions to another; includes severe prejudice, severe jealousy, hypervigilance to external danger, and "injustice collecting". It is shifting one's unacceptable thoughts, feelings and impulses within oneself onto someone else, such that those same thoughts, feelings, beliefs and motivations are perceived as being possessed by the other.
*Displacement: Defense mechanism that shifts sexual or aggressive impulses to a more acceptable or less threatening target; redirecting emotion to a safer outlet; separation of emotion from its real object and redirection of the intense emotion toward someone or something that is less offensive or threatening in order to avoid dealing directly with what is frightening or threatening. For example, a mother may yell at her child because she is angry with her husband.
*Rationalization (making excuses): Where a person convinces him or herself that no wrong was done and that all is or was all right through faulty and false reasoning. An indicator of this defense mechanism can be seen socially as the formulation of convenient excuses - making excuses.
 *Repression: The process of attempting to repel desires towards pleasurable instincts, caused by a threat of suffering if the desire is satisfied; the desire is moved to the unconscious in the attempt to prevent it from entering consciousness;^[15] seemingly unexplainable naivety, memory lapse or lack of awareness of one's own situation and condition; the emotion is conscious, but the idea behind it is absent.
*Reaction formation: Converting unconscious wishes or impulses that are perceived to be dangerous into their opposites; behavior that is completely the opposite of what one really wants or feels; taking the opposite belief because the true belief causes anxiety. This defense can work effectively for coping in the short term, but will eventually break down.
*Regression: Temporary reversion of the ego to an earlier stage of development rather than handling unacceptable impulses in a more adult way.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defence_mechanism