Comments on: Robot Revolution http://mith.umd.edu/eng738T/robot-revolution/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=robot-revolution English 738T, Spring 2015 Sat, 12 Nov 2016 04:10:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Charity Hancock http://mith.umd.edu/eng738T/robot-revolution/#comment-369 Charity Hancock Sun, 15 Apr 2012 21:04:07 +0000 http://mith.umd.edu/eng738T/?p=647#comment-369 I almost talked about how Neo is an anomaly, but it seemed to take my post in a different direction. However, it's super interesting that you mentioned the "ghost in the system" because Dr. Lanning has a quote about what he calls "ghosts in the machine." "There have always been ghosts in the machine. Random segments of code, that have grouped together to form unexpected protocols. Unanticipated, these free radicals engender questions of free will, creativity, and even the nature of what we might call the soul. Why is it that when some robots are left in darkness, they will seek out the light? Why is it that when robots are stored in an empty space, they will group together, rather than stand alone? How do we explain this behavior? Random segments of code? Or is it something more? When does a perceptual schematic become consciousness? When does a difference engine become the search for truth? When does a personality simulation become the bitter mote... of a soul?" Lanning's "ghosts" seem more aligned with the replicants in 'Blade Runner' than humans in the Matrix (they relate directly to V.I.K.I. and Sonny in the movie itself). But then again, how human are the machine-grown humans in the Matrix. With their mental projections existing within a coded simulation, then Neo could be one of those "free radicals" to which Lanning is referring... Hmm... I almost talked about how Neo is an anomaly, but it seemed to take my post in a different direction. However, it’s super interesting that you mentioned the “ghost in the system” because Dr. Lanning has a quote about what he calls “ghosts in the machine.”

“There have always been ghosts in the machine. Random segments of code, that have grouped together to form unexpected protocols. Unanticipated, these free radicals engender questions of free will, creativity, and even the nature of what we might call the soul. Why is it that when some robots are left in darkness, they will seek out the light? Why is it that when robots are stored in an empty space, they will group together, rather than stand alone? How do we explain this behavior? Random segments of code? Or is it something more? When does a perceptual schematic become consciousness? When does a difference engine become the search for truth? When does a personality simulation become the bitter mote… of a soul?”

Lanning’s “ghosts” seem more aligned with the replicants in ‘Blade Runner’ than humans in the Matrix (they relate directly to V.I.K.I. and Sonny in the movie itself). But then again, how human are the machine-grown humans in the Matrix. With their mental projections existing within a coded simulation, then Neo could be one of those “free radicals” to which Lanning is referring… Hmm…

]]> By: Kathryn Skutlin http://mith.umd.edu/eng738T/robot-revolution/#comment-367 Kathryn Skutlin Sun, 15 Apr 2012 18:35:04 +0000 http://mith.umd.edu/eng738T/?p=647#comment-367 So, I just watched _The Matrix Reloaded_ last night, and that quote that you mention from the architect really struck me! Also, it turns out that the reason the One is created is because of choice. While the 99.9% are fine allowing that choice to remain in their unconscious minds, some, like Neo and the citizens of Zion, make the choice to break free of the Matrix. The Architect knows there must be at least the illusion of choice and that there will always be those that reject the Matrix. This ghost in the system, the "chink in the armor" that works against the intentions of its creator is what the architect calls the "anomaly" in what is otherwise "a harmony of mathematical equations." By granting humanity the One, they are given even more poignantly, the illusion on choice. Morpheus believes in the Oracle and risks his life to save Neo. However, it turns out that the Architect and the Oracle work together as the father and mother of the Matrix (interesting here how the programs are sexed to complete the picture of the nuclear family with the father, mother, and the Matrix as child). The choice to take down the Matrix is never really feasible. It is just an illusion created to pacify the ones who cannot live within the Matrix and must make the choice to break free. The fact that these choices are accounted for and expected, make them simply illusions. Yet, what about when Neo figures out what is happening and decides to save Trinity instead of resetting the system? The extent of authority and the illusion of choice is revealed and Neo rebels just like the people do in _IRobot_. Yet, is this yet another option that has been accounted for by the Matrix? We learn that all of the others before Neo have decided to do continue the cycle instead of attempting to stop it in its tracks. So, is Neo implementing free will here? Or is this decision also mere illusion? Is he already fated to return to the Matrix? I guess I will have to watch the third film and find out! So, I just watched _The Matrix Reloaded_ last night, and that quote that you mention from the architect really struck me! Also, it turns out that the reason the One is created is because of choice. While the 99.9% are fine allowing that choice to remain in their unconscious minds, some, like Neo and the citizens of Zion, make the choice to break free of the Matrix. The Architect knows there must be at least the illusion of choice and that there will always be those that reject the Matrix. This ghost in the system, the “chink in the armor” that works against the intentions of its creator is what the architect calls the “anomaly” in what is otherwise “a harmony of mathematical equations.” By granting humanity the One, they are given even more poignantly, the illusion on choice. Morpheus believes in the Oracle and risks his life to save Neo. However, it turns out that the Architect and the Oracle work together as the father and mother of the Matrix (interesting here how the programs are sexed to complete the picture of the nuclear family with the father, mother, and the Matrix as child). The choice to take down the Matrix is never really feasible. It is just an illusion created to pacify the ones who cannot live within the Matrix and must make the choice to break free. The fact that these choices are accounted for and expected, make them simply illusions. Yet, what about when Neo figures out what is happening and decides to save Trinity instead of resetting the system? The extent of authority and the illusion of choice is revealed and Neo rebels just like the people do in _IRobot_. Yet, is this yet another option that has been accounted for by the Matrix? We learn that all of the others before Neo have decided to do continue the cycle instead of attempting to stop it in its tracks. So, is Neo implementing free will here? Or is this decision also mere illusion? Is he already fated to return to the Matrix? I guess I will have to watch the third film and find out!

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