What do "Monsters. Inc." and "The Matrix" Have in Common?

'The Matrix' and 'Monsters Inc.': Mirror Movies?
by
BOB MONDELLO
June 13, 2003


The science-fiction action film The Matrix and the animated Monsters Inc. may belong to different genres, but they have a striking similarity: both tell the story of an alternate universe fueled by the efforts of humans who are unaware that they are doing the fueling. NPR's Bob Mondello offers his thoughts on the subject.

***
Listen at: http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=1297967&m=1297968

(Mod: Please move to more suitable Forum if
that would be desirable.)

I would think "Alternative Universe" means "Simulacrum". Will have to listen. Good find.

Interesting that one of the establishment's primary sources of public programming is taking on this issue..... perhaps people are starting to see "too much"?

Just had a listen. Isn't the method of control in this short audio so incredibly obvious. The reporter talks about similarities in dress between characters in the two movies, then proceeds to discuss production values and movie budgets. And that's where it ends. No other discussion about these alternative worlds, or the larger messaging of these metaphors. I mean, the NPR story is almost laughable when one understands the layers of messaging of these movies.

I'm not sure what makes me more pissed-off, the fact that they attempt to control us, or the fact that they think we're stupid enough to actually believe such rubbish, like this NPR story.

The flip side of this is that this tells me that their techniques are incredibly transparent, and that the machine of control that they have created is inflexible, and highly reliant on techniques created long ago. Once these techniques are pierced, they seem to have no real ability to defend themselves. Sometimes I think that all of their methods of control will simply become moot, as the publc continues to talk amongst themselves, revealing the inner workings of the system.

C1 wrote:

Just had a listen. Isn't the method of control in this short audio so incredibly obvious. The reporter talks about similarities in dress between characters in the two movies, then proceeds to discuss production values and movie budgets. And that's where it ends. No other discussion about these alternative worlds, or the larger messaging of these metaphors. I mean, the NPR story is almost laughable when one understands the layers of messaging of these movies.

I'm not sure what makes me more pissed-off, the fact that they attempt to control us, or the fact that they think we're stupid enough to actually believe such rubbish, like this NPR story.

The flip side of this is that this tells me that their techniques are incredibly transparent, and that the machine of control that they have created is inflexible, and highly reliant on techniques created long ago. Once these techniques are pierced, they seem to have no real ability to defend themselves. Sometimes I think that all of their methods of control will simply become moot, as the publc continues to talk amongst themselves, revealing the inner workings of the system.

There's certainly a great increase in understanding, that the government is evil---in a
general way, though.. That IS what I see.

But the extent of the control, and the dire nature of our situation, is not really understood by many,
imo. And it's my distinct sense that probing deeply into the "grim facts" is not really what most will do.
So basically I'm saying MOST will stay to some substantial degree, 'asleep.'

Yet perhaps that's better than waking up into the grimness of a "1984." For myself, I'm hoping my prayers will be answered --yep..kind of 'magical thinking' I know, but I think there's a lot to be said (or thought about) on this subect of Does God Exist? Imho, anyhow. I am really hoping for this to become resolved, in favor (in my
private intellectual debate). Hope so!

ScoutsHonor wrote:

C1 wrote:

Just had a listen. Isn't the method of control in this short audio so incredibly obvious. The reporter talks about similarities in dress between characters in the two movies, then proceeds to discuss production values and movie budgets. And that's where it ends. No other discussion about these alternative worlds, or the larger messaging of these metaphors. I mean, the NPR story is almost laughable when one understands the layers of messaging of these movies.

I'm not sure what makes me more pissed-off, the fact that they attempt to control us, or the fact that they think we're stupid enough to actually believe such rubbish, like this NPR story.

The flip side of this is that this tells me that their techniques are incredibly transparent, and that the machine of control that they have created is inflexible, and highly reliant on techniques created long ago. Once these techniques are pierced, they seem to have no real ability to defend themselves. Sometimes I think that all of their methods of control will simply become moot, as the publc continues to talk amongst themselves, revealing the inner workings of the system.

There's certainly a great increase in understanding, that the government is evil---in a
general way, though.. That IS what I see.

But the extent of the control, and the dire nature of our situation, is not really understood by many,
imo. And it's my distinct sense that probing deeply into the "grim facts" is not really what most will do.
So basically I'm saying MOST will stay to some substantial degree, 'asleep.'

Yet perhaps that's better than waking up into the grimness of a "1984." For myself, I'm hoping my prayers will be answered --yep..kind of 'magical thinking' I know, but I think there's a lot to be said (or thought about) on this subect of Does God Exist? Imho, anyhow. I am really hoping for this to become resolved, in favor (in my
private intellectual debate). Hope so!

I'm doing my best to live in "The Kingdom". I mean, whattya going to do, live in Man's world? This shit sucks big time. Only in Man's world would people deny the existence of "The Kingdom", because once one turns away from the values of Man's world, and turns toward "The Kingdom", well, there is just no turning back. So, I focus on the Trees, the Sky, Other Humans who share my values, the Animal Kingdom, etc, etc... that's where life's real value is... that where we can enjoy the warmth of what we have. Yes, I analyze Man's sick world, but it's not the end-all it used to be for me. And that's the problem, people are now convinced that Man's world, our financial systems, our media, our technology, our math & science, etc etc is the entire Universality of our Being. Well, many Philosophers & Scientists discussed in this forum have shown us over and over again that Man's World, and all of it's systems, are bogus (ie gamed to maintain control). Once people realize this, they'll turn back to "The Kingdom", and the elite will lose control. Faith is the only force left, IMHO, that can destroy this system's control and render it powerless. Hence, I've turned my focus to "The Kingdom"... that's where my soul is at least, just like Jacques Ellue discussed in his book, The Presence of the Kingdom (1948).

PS. Just to be clear, just because I'm doing my best to keep my mind & soul in "The Kingdom" doesn't mean I'm some sort of religious zealot. In fact, religion is just another intermediating factor used for control. I'm talking about where my values lie, and those are with some higher power outside of another man's control. Hope that helps.