'Matrix,' other geek icons become philosophy-class fodder

CNN ^ | Tuesday, November 25, 2003 Posted: 12:15 PM EST (1715 GMT) | Not Provided

[.cnI redruM]

I'll admit it. During The Fellowship Of The Ring, I saw Hugo Weaving and expected to hear him to tell Frodo. "I'm going to enjoy watching you die, MR BAGGINS."

[warchild9]

I'm just grateful for the red pill/blue pill metaphor. It's classic.

[SquirrelKing]

I'm just grateful for the red pill/blue pill metaphor. It's classic.

Yup. Lewis Carroll.

[NutCrackerBoy]

I've haunted the philosophy sections of bookstores for years (with little to show for it). I am seeing more and more philosophy "treatises" based on pop culture references.

Of course I abhor this trend and am considering writing a book to cash in on it.

[Argus]

As a society, we are losing brain cells faster than we can...uh...do something about it.

[RightWhale]

considering writing a book to cash in on it

Note that most Literature involves the science of ethics. Also, practical ethics does not employ reason, but aesthetics. Ethics is a compliment to physics, and thus a perfect balance for sci-fi themes such as in The Matrix.

[Iris7]

"It's what a liberal education should do: liberate people from preconceived ideas and prejudices," said Schick.

Good grief, what a bald faced lie. What is "political correctness" but a "preconceived idea and prejudice"?? What is "taught" at "institutions of higher learning", rather, what is propagandized without rest, indoctrinated without cease, but "political correctness" as a faith?

Either this fellow is utterly blind or lieing without shame to himself and everyone else. Probably both!!

[.cnI redruM]

He should free his mind and stop taking the Blue Pill.

[Poohbah]

I'll admit it. During The Fellowship Of The Ring, I saw Hugo Weaving and expected to hear him to tell Frodo. "I'm going to enjoy watching you die, MR BAGGINS."

And in The Two Towers, I was expecting to see a gazillion Elronds get into a fight with Sauron...

[Only1choice____Freedom]

Either this fellow is utterly blind or lieing without shame to himself and everyone else. Probably both!!

The Matrix question - If everything you thought, believed, knew to be true were to be proved beyond a doubt in fact a lie, would you want to know the truth?

Liberal answer - no

Patrick Henry - YES!

[.cnI redruM]

>>>>>>And in The Two Towers, I was expecting to see a gazillion Elronds get into a fight with Sauron...

Mt Doom would have erupted and 400 Hugo Weavings would flown to every corner of ME. Not very believable, but an awesome special effect.

[Poohbah]

Got to make sure that Elrond and his duplicates give a long and boring lecture on purpose before the fight (c8

[Iris7]

"Students: For an easy A, expound on this in your next classroom discussion: What are the philosophical implications of Hugo Weaving, the Australian actor who is Agent Smith in The Matrix trilogy, also playing Elrond, the elven Lord of Rivendell, in the Lord of the Rings trilogy?"

Probably the reason I got so mad at Professor Schick is I cannot answer a question like the one he put. I don't watch television or movies if possible, since my mind and soul are in bad enough shape without actively seeking to destroy them!!

Actually there have been good movies made. "Seven Samurai", and to a lesser extent "The Grand Illusion" come to mind. As far as movies in English, I am sure there must be a decent one somewhere, though nothing comes to mind!!

Wait, I liked the first half or so of "Red River". James Dean was awful. In "Zulu" I liked the scene where the 21st Foot await the Zulu charge while singing "Men of Harlech". Of course, when they cut the movie for the masses, this was the scene they cut!! The inspection in skivvy shorts scene in "Full Metal Jacket" was good. I also liked the first half of "Braveheart", before Mel arrived on the scene.

[Yeti]

I'm just grateful for the red pill/blue pill metaphor. It's classic.

Yes. Both timely and timeless.

[.cnI redruM]

Given that all those unemployed Hugos were bored, the lecture and the physical violence, gave them something to do with all that time on their hands.

[edsheppa]

"It's what a liberal education should do: liberate people from preconceived ideas and prejudices," said Schick.

What if the preconceived ideas are right and the prejudices are justified?

[.cnI redruM]

"Students: For an easy A, expound on this in your next classroom discussion: What are the philosophical implications of Hugo Weaving, the Australian actor who is Agent Smith in The Matrix trilogy, also playing Elrond, the elven Lord of Rivendell, in the Lord of the Rings trilogy?"

Neither is in charge of anything by the end of the story. I want my 4.0.

Oh yeah, and both of them hate human beings. They'd probably do well in the Environmental Defense Fund. Elrond, better than Smith, but heck, they do look rather similar.

[.cnI redruM]

Than piss on them. Just right what you're told, steal your 'A', and live your own life after graduation.

[NutCrackerBoy]

Why is James Dean? What is Hugo Weaving? How is George Bush?

[stands2reason]

I never got into the Matrix thing (too violent for my tastes)---I did appreciate the philosophical implications of "Gattaca." Such as:

Does genetic predetermination make hope extinct?