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December 4, 2008 at 09:37:00
Promoted to Headline (H2) on 12/4/08: by Steve Consilvio Page 1 of 1 page(s) |
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The Matrix trilogy has three main character types: those who fight on behalf of the machines, those who fight the machines, and Neo. While Neo joins the humans who fight the machines, he is their savior only because he is distinctly different from them. What is it that makes Neo different? In the real world, there have been many Neo-like characters: Socrates, Jesus, Paine, Thoreau and Orwell are all good examples. They seem to be on the side of the weak in a battle against the powerful, but they are not wholly a member of their group, either. They have a power or understanding that makes them different from their peers, which is why their name resonates. For example, Paine spent two years in a French prison for voting against the execution of the King, despite authoring the pamphlet that de-legitimized the king. When he chose the title Commonsense, he was implying that neither the monarchy nor the masses had any. Both believed a lie, and slaying the King was a lie, too. Similarly, Thoreau was both admired, mocked and misunderstood by his contemporaries. Emerson, in his eulogy to his friend, said Thoreau belonged to the huckleberry party, suggesting he never accomplished anything useful. Yet Jesus and Socrates also avoided the lust political power. Socrates was significantly different than his students that followed, Plato and Aristotle. Plato believed in a ruling elite and Aristotle saw a natural balance in slavery. Socrates did not think anybody was fit to be a master. Orwell and these other thinkers all saw the death of the individual as the greatest loss in the battle between good and evil. The lack of a desire to become a master of others is what makes them commonly different. Democracy, unfortunately, is rooted in a victory-defeat paradigm.
Ayn Rand would seem to fit in the above group, since she was a champion of the individual, but her individualism lacked compassion for others. The aforementioned group were both highly compassionate and individualistic. In the case of Socrates and Jesus, their ‘thoughtcrime’ was being more compassionate than their contemporaries, and they did not take refuge in the power of any group, not even for self-defense. They did not seek to conquer, but to transform both the high and the low; the Left and the Right.
We can recognize that this group is both individualistic and compassionate, but what is the exact nature of this different drum that this group hears? What do they see and hear that others sense but do not quite grasp? Or, as Thoreau put it, why do they strike at the root while others hack only at the branches?
While Neo is a fictional character, he does embody the critical element that is shared by these others: he is outside of system-think. He sees himself as an individual, and he sees others as an individual. A system is not a system, but rather a group of like items following a common behavior. A branch is part of the trunk which is part of the root. They are connected, but can be easily severed. Some branches yield fruit and seeds, others branches die. One seed can create many seeds, but the sum is never more than the beginning. The volume fluctuates but not the essence. As he battles Agent Smith, and Agent Smith multiplies, Neo never loses sight that it is always the same seed he is battling. He is fighting back through the branches until he can finally return to the root, which he finally accomplishes in the third movie.
The same sense of individualism and compassion that drives Neo eventually infects Agent Smith. At one point Agent Smith states that he does not like being an agent. He wants his struggle to end. His choice of which side he is on is not nearly as important as his sense of self-awareness. It is that self-awareness that this group of thinkers is constantly prodding and trying to develop. That is the wedge between system-think and individual consciousness.
What drives all these thinkers is a deeper understanding that the same numbers drive the system for good and evil. While the masses think they are battling good versus evil, in fact they are entrapped by a numerical system that they themselves created. They are battling their own mirror. Humans created the machine-world, not the machines. Orwell called it 2+2=5.
Who among us doesn’t believe that 2+2=5? Small children put their meager gifts into interest-bearing savings accounts. Entrepreneurs buy low-sell high. Democrats and progressives believe in taxation, without regard to where the money comes from. Every tax increase for the government is a pay cut for the worker. Unions demand high wages, but that requires higher inflation for the goods everyone purchases. The owners do not manufacturer money, they take it from the customers. Money is a zero-sum game, and the golden rule applies. You should treat others how you would like to be treated. If you would like to pay less, then you must charge less. If you want others to share, then you must be willing to share. Everybody in the auto industry should work for one dollar a year. In fact, everybody everywhere should.
Speculation caused the Great Depression, yet within a generation speculation was again at full throttle. We have children graduating high school and entering directly into indebtedness. To whom are they paying the interest? Themselves! They both take interest with one hand and pay it with the other. Business owners collect profits and pay profits. The government collects taxes and wastefully spends taxes. Non-profits, especially the universities, collect donations but hoard wealth. Every group is mathematically and financially confused.
How do I know this? I have become one of these thinkers who has transcended the lunacy of the false math we have all been indoctrinated to believe. I am not smarter or wiser or more virtuous than anybody else, I am just another late arrival to the club. The neo-conservatives have failed. Now is the time for the neo-transcendentalists.
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| 11 comments |
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What we should all strive for.
I believe that is what Teilhard de Chardin was talking about concerning a fully evolved human. Where we are all hyper individualistic yet fully integrated as a whole species, all for one and one for all literally. We have that potential but are failing at it. He was a Christian so his view of evolution was of a teleogenic nature. That is development to a specific goal. [Something evolution does not do.] by nightgaunt (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 448 comments [27 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Dec 4, 2008 at 2:39:25 PM  (0+)
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Reply: We strive for a consciousness of ourselves
Thanks for the comment. I would disagree with your interpretation of evolution/Christianity, however. Every seed already 'is.' So the stage of growth, bearing fruit, etc., is all part of a natural pre-existing condition, not of a 'goal,' as such. An acorn becomes an oak, an acorn is an oak. Likewise, Christianity and evolution are not opposites; rather, evolution describes Christianity (epiphany), just as evolution describes life. Evolution doesn't originate life, and Christianity doesn't originate God. Neo gets back to the root, but he didn't create himself, just as none of us created ourselves. We are all seeds of seeds, and that is all evolution describes. by Steve Consilvio (18 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 184 comments [4 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Dec 4, 2008 at 2:57:34 PM (0+)
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neo-transcenders
aloha, Steve! nicely put! malcolm gladwell offers the term "outlier" [great book] in describing an individual who by virtue of living on the fringe of society while yet being part of that society, can have a major impact on changing it. as a guide to realizing the virtue of the impact, i would add chogyam trungpa's concept of "sacred warrior." whatever the context in which one chooses to exert it, the confluence of the two concepts is enormously powerful. aloha nui loa! daz by Burt Alpert (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 13 comments) on Thursday, Dec 4, 2008 at 4:59:56 PM (0+)
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The truly sane man..
appears insane in a society such as ours. I don't often speak of myself, but I will share a brief story. I graduated high school as valedictorian, then graduated from a prestigious college cum laude with a double major in psychology and theater & dance. I worked in the theater for a year, and then decided I needed money so I went and worked for Google. I found my life there, although coddled with perks, to be soulless and almost reprehensible. I withdrew socially and entered into a state of soul-searching and had what some might term a spiritual awakening. I began to see the systems that controlled the world for what they were, I saw the lies being consumed by the masses, and I began to gain a deeper understanding of reality. But my dissatisfaction with the current states of affairs, the topics I pursued in my writing, and my vision of reality led my family and friends to assume that I was taking hallucinogenic drugs. They couldn't understand why I couldn't support either McCain or Obama, but would instead roll around with my Ron Paul bumpersticker attached to my convertible. I was compared with the unabomber, thought to have lost my mind, when in reality, I believe I had finally gained it. I refused to ever work for the system again, left the big G after my contract was up, and have since founded two start-up companies. These companies, like most technology, could be used for good or for great evil. And, if successful, will power the machine, pulling me right back into the system I swore to leave. Although I am not one of them, I come from the ruling elite. They are in my blood. My upbringing was significantly better than most because of it. How much of my intelligence was inherited from those who came before me? I can understand the way they think and the way they operate. I can grasp the philosophy, but reject for myself. I do not think they are just "evil," as that is too simplistic, but mainly misguided. I have tried to educate others, but most are not really willing to hear it, so I have to work slow and steady. I am an instrument for reverse propaganda. I often feel entirely alone in my struggle as I see people sleeping all around me. Which makes me glad that an article like this is published. Unfortunately, I am still in the matrix. I just understand it more fully. One day I will burn through this shell. Just not yet. by Ferdinand (17 articles, 4 quicklinks, 39 diaries, 259 comments) on Thursday, Dec 4, 2008 at 6:51:53 PM (0+)
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Reply: The walking dead
Someone once said to me that he felt that he lived among the walking dead. I knew exactly what he meant as soon as I heard it. You are not alone; we are not alone. :-) But we no need to make more collective 'noise' though. The herds will follow. by Steve Consilvio (18 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 184 comments [4 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, Dec 5, 2008 at 7:02:27 AM (0+)
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The artist cannot be the average
It is the difference of the voice of the artist, the transcended, that makes that voice desired and listened to, not the artist's voice reiterating the average messages of the average mind. As much as we crave conformity for our comfort, we prefer uniqueness in our entertainment/enlightenment. In some cases the distinction between the artist and the average is not even the originality of the ideas espoused, but the willingness to speak out at all, to be willing to say and draw attention to the issues we are all thinking about but unsure how to approach. In the saga, Neo is actually a late comer to the rebel alliance (or whatever they called themselves--haven't watched a Matrix in a while. They were after Zion, right? Zionists?). He is willing to evolve and to take on new ideas, to accept his choices are making him different. This is part of his transcendence. He is also of course theatrically superhuman; but that willingness to risk, that courage to allow his life and his very being to become different. -yzur by mikel weisser (49 articles, 3 quicklinks, 15 diaries, 87 comments [3 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Dec 4, 2008 at 6:52:44 PM (0+)
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An Ink
I drew in 1988 is strange as the picture was of me wearing sunglasses & dressed in black coming out of a computer. The ink has the date 1988 on the computer that was before the Matrix movies began. When I first viewed the movie The Matrix I said, that's the movie I would write about this world. A fellow at a bar & grill where I went to drink coffee realized one day the paradox of my black clothing that I was actually wearing white in paradox. As far as Jesus goes, no he didn't seek any worldly power. I don't know if John the Baptist heard his saying of not casting one's pearls before swine. If he had he might not have wasted his time on Herod. The two groups of people Jesus admonished most were the political religious factions of Israel & the rich. Jesus did not seek to overthrow the Romans as the Israelites thought that is what the Messiah was coming to do upon the earth. Instead he taught his Father's Spiritual Kingdom that is not of the world of man, this world. Jesus did not give any indication he came to start a new religion. Jesus knew then what this world would eventually turn into as time progressed as in the prophecy of the Book of Revelation he gave to John he speaks of there being many Beast Kingdoms/Nation as well as Mystery Babylon who may be the key of building the globalist system of the Beast, or the world of man's political, religious, & business system that many believe to be the New World Order. They may be right? Life is good. by shadow dancer (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1115 comments [121 recommended, 2 rejected]) on Thursday, Dec 4, 2008 at 9:33:30 PM (0+)
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Reply: iRobot
Alan Parsons released the album iRobot in 1975 I think, the year I graduated high school. That is where my website behappyandfree.com comes from. On the jacket, there is a quote about the rise of the machines, etc. Going back further, Fritz Lang's 1929 movie Metropolis is about people living in a divided world of the worker city and the clueless managers. It is a great movie, and a silent film. The problems we face are common to every generation, the question is only who will get to dominate the thinking. Renaissances are as common in history as collapse and stupidity. As far as pearls before swine goes, remember Jesus came to save the sinners. There is not much point to preaching to the choir. This thread is a treat, to have so many posts by people who get it, but to be effective, the neo-transcendentalists have to talk to people who disagree or misunderstand. This time of crisis has people rethinking what they believe. The demagogues have all fallen silent for the most part. It is a perfect time for change. by Steve Consilvio (18 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 184 comments [4 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, Dec 5, 2008 at 7:14:34 AM (0+)
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Is This A
time of crisis? If so how did this time of crisis come to this land, Turtle Island, but called America by the Europeans who formed their govt, began murdering off the tribes, stealing their land, & placing the leftovers in living prisons called Reservations? So this what the Europeans have built upon the earth in this land as well in other lands where they went & murdered people while stealing their land to set up "Their World" that indeed was reflected in the movie the Matrix. The Founders of America were mostly Freemasons & Deists who stated they patterned America after Rome. The Roman Republic that became a warmongering empire upon the earth like a great beast. Rome had conquered Israel some 70 years before Jesus was born of human flesh & began teaching his disciples about the Kingdom of God/Heaven that is not of the world of man, this world. After his resurrection Jesus told his dicisples he had to leave them to go feed sheep in other lands before ascending back into the Kingdom that is in a different dimension but is always watching & listening to this dimension even though human beings upon the earth are often not wise with their words, and know far less about God than they believe they know. So where all did Jesus travel, teach, & when? To step out of the eternal dimension into this dimension where the thing called time exists would be like time travel as an interdimensional travel would be like a time traveler. Change at this time. This is still the same old world filled with all the same old bunk. Are the Europeans living in Turtle Island, as well as everyone else & their brother from around the planet suddenly going to give all the stolen land back to the tribes & leave taking their nuclear waste & whatever else with them? Who knows, perhaps your Nation is a Beast Kingdom written about in the Book of Revelation or Mystery Babylon that perhaps is the key to building the globalist beast system many refer to now as the New World Order? Be ironic if your Nation is a Beast Kingdom as God has already cast his judgment upon any who worship the Beast & the image of the Beast. The Image of the Beast? A false image. A world perhaps like the Matrix? A false world that has a form of reality but is it reality at all? The cash register world. The lovers of Mammon & their world that think or believe they are free even though I have wondered exactly what it is they are free from? A world of Institutions. Perhaps Institutionalized insanity. It is a strange world, but it is the world God is bringing to it's end so I am not concerned with it at all. Regardless of what human beings "Believe" the one thing I know is they will all meet Jesus. That is something I know, not something I believe. What I don't know is the outcome of any human beings meeting with Jesus as it is his job to judge this world, not mine. by shadow dancer (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1115 comments [121 recommended, 2 rejected]) on Friday, Dec 5, 2008 at 12:25:45 PM (0+)
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Reply: Jesus came for the Natives, too
Not much to dispute there. :-) I don't romanticize the Native Americans, though. They were a divided society, too, just like ours. There were more individual societies, for sure, but the hierarchy of every society (young to old) faces the same challenges of what to teach. I find it amusing that we overthrew the "United Kingdom" to form the "United States." Even the language reveals that it was only a small change. People make mountains out of molehills, and then can't see the mountains which do exist. Hypocrisy has fit the same pattern for thousands of years, and across all cultures. I try to transcend my innate hypocrisy, and the hypocrisy of society, but how does one do that? It is impossible to live a moral life in an immoral world. Therefore, the only choice is to promote morality. (Without the corruption of hypocrisy, of course.) by Steve Consilvio (18 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 184 comments [4 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, Dec 5, 2008 at 12:49:05 PM (0+)
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Rest Your Weary Minds
We have not long to go. There are as many plans in place here as there are those with the Ego to impose them, but--you should pardon the terminology--God will not be mocked. That is, the immutable Laws of Creation cannot be abrogated. In fact, the "Matrix" scenario being played out here is no more than one race of beings attempting to circumvent and distort these very Laws for their convenience, replenishment and--yes--entertainment. Mother Earth will soon have her say on the matter, and no one presently sucking at her teat and enjoying her considerable largesse (that would be everyone here) will be in a position to overlook her opinion. Though things may appear to be out of hand to the Dreamer-within-His-Dream, appearances are-all-too-deceiving, particularly to the altered-ego and compromised perceptors of the 21st century mutated HuMan. You cannot awaken the narcotized, nor is it your duty or mission to do so. The die is cast. Stand in your truth and combine with those who are drawn to Unity Consciousness. Most will not be, and it is their divine right to so choose. They will have the opportunity to choose over, again and again, for all roads lead to SOURCE. It is that some routes are more circuitous than others, that is all. All God's children have eternity to get back. I highly suggest you acquire and assimilate a copy of HANDBOOK FOR A NEW PARADIGM, if you would be of optimal use in this coming Consciousness Shift. RAndje by Randje Mitchell (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 77 comments) on Friday, Dec 5, 2008 at 1:05:58 PM (0+)
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