The Real, the Imaginary and the Symbolic

[Gem]

When Neo awoke from the virtual world of the Matrix, Morpheus greeted him with, "You've been living in a dream world, Neo", then revealed the truth: "This is the world as it exists today." and Neo entered the post apocalyptic ruins of The Real. Morpheus welcomed Neo with, "Welcome to the desert of the Real" (a phrase coined by philosopher, Jean Baudrilard). (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgBViHeiSKM)

"Welcome to the desert of the real" - The real: it's destitute, and can't provide the pleasures of the Imaginary dreamscape. This forces a distinction between the two motivating drives: 1) Desire for the imaginary, and 2) The passion for the real - which are, absolutely, exclusive of each other.

The Character, Cypher, demonstrates how desire for the imaginary leads to denial of the real when he does deal with Agent Smith. Smith offers Cypher everything; wealth, fame and a life of pleasure. Cypher forsakes the 'desert of the Real' for the 'abundance of the Imaginary.' He consciously enters into denial and willingly enters into being deceived. His reason for doing so is, 'Ignorance is Bliss' (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7BuQFUhsRM).

The film is underscored with the symbolic order of slavery and freedom and the The Red Pill/Blue Pill is the choice symbolic. As Cypher demonstrated, choice can enslave us, or as Neo showed, it can free us. Morpheus (God of dreams) gives the "Freedom of Self Determination" to Neo (anagram of One) and says, "remember, all I'm offering you is the truth, nothing more." (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9vGMMPM5Lg).

Thanks for listening - and watching.

[Honza]

Good post Gem. Interesting.

[Shivani Devi]

The Matrix sort of has an 'Alice In Wonderland' feel to me, not that I dislike like the concept, but it's also based on the ultimate human dilemma, that of 'free will'...do we choose the blue pill and remain in blissful ignorance, happy and content with our own meaningless lives, or do we choose the red pill and see 'just how deep the rabbit hole goes?' (and trust me, it goes pretty deep - Black Hole or even The Matrix doesn't even come close).

It's like 'Alice through the Looking Glass' - are we ready to go beyond what we see as a mere reflection of ourselves? are we ready to lose our own 'self-image' and travel beyond it?

The Matrix is full of important symbology, but it only scratches the surface of one 'possibility'...to think otherwise, would deny the very existence of The Matrix.

The Matrix is Maya, the world of illusion.

Aum Namah Shivaya