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Date Posted: 22:25:31 06/11/03 Wed
Author: Ender
Subject: A theory
In reply to: Ender 's message, "(I never know what to name my posts, argh)" on 01:12:14 06/11/03 Wed

Well, I've already typed more than my fair share on this subject in my last post, but I thought of a small theory last night and I wished I had mentioned it, so I shall.

The importance of personal identity in this story has been made clear through neo. Of all the characters in the story, it is he that we are supposed to sympathize with the most. But of course, in my last post, I questioned the importance of personal identity in a world where such identity is so easily manipulated. It seems pointless to me to sympathize with a character who could be changed at will. Who is to say that the neo we've come to respect in reloaded is the same neo we saw in the beginning of the first movie. He has, after all, had quite a bit of downloading done. Now I understand that this is simply expanded knowledge, which to most people is not a reason to consider one's personal identity changed. After all, in a sense I am no longer the person I was three years ago, but then again I am. However, my question goes deeper than that of expanded knowledge. What perplexes me is when one's own ideas are changed. Religion, politics and gender beliefs are merely three things that, when changed, could greatly affect the way we see through the world. To change these things would raise the question of identity to an unanswerable point.

But then I remembered the little meeting between Neo and Agent Smith in reloaded, and it brought about an interesting theory which may be explored more in the next movie. Agent smith, at one point, attempted to take over Neo's body, but was unable to do so. Many have theorized that this inability has something to do with the connection that the two of them shared in the first movie. But I believe that perhaps this is more a statement about personal identity than anything else. I stand firm in the belief that at one point or another, the brothers will have to make a definitive stance on the subject of personal identity, or else risk alienating the entire audience. No one wants to hear that they can be altered or changed and that their whole belief structure re-engineered. So my theory is that the brothers will attempt to do this through neo. THAT is why agent smith was unable to take over Neo's body.


Unfortunately, other people are waiting for the computer and I think I've typed too much. I'd love to reply to someones post later, though.

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