[Nottingham] Matrix Reloaded

[Alex Tibbles]

On Wed, 2003-06-04 at 18:37, James Gibbon wrote:
> I mentioned the fact that I had read and
> understood Kant and Plato
> only because I was specifically asked, otherwise I
> would not have
> referred to it.  
Indeed. I'm sorry for being so vicious.

It's easy to dismiss something as not being
intellectual enough, but harder to give a more
intelligent substitute. I think that the Matrices
(sic!) have suggestions for philosophical things to
think about in. (I wouldn't want to claim they
constitute a new, revolutionary, philosophical
theory). A film that had 'real' philosophy in would
seem to be a group of people in a sitting room,
drinking coffee and arguing with one another. This
would a) be tedious and b) be pointless because
philosophy is only good for you (and enjoyable) when
you are doing it, not when watching it.

There are many films that have a reality-illusion
theme. There are many films with a what-is-happiness
theme.

I agree with your annoyance at slashbots claiming the
incredible philosophical importance of the Matrix, but
I don't think this is a criticism of the film - if
anything, only of the lack of intelligence in
(Hollywood) films in general.

alex

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