NationStates Jolt Archive

Ok, I've always heard questions regarding one of my favorite all time trilogy The Matrix. Sometimes on here. So I've decided to let NSG ask me any questions they have about The Matrix Trilogy as well as The Animatrix. Also to make this a legit topic, tell me your favorite scene from any of the three movies. Mine would have to be the scene where Neo meets The Architect. Now to get some obvious questions out of the way.

If they used body heat for energy, why don't they just use cows?
Well the machines would've used cows if it haven't been for the fact that before the Matrix was created, man and machines were at war with one another. At the end of the war, the machines triumphed, and they saw that not only would humans provide a reliable, renewable source of energy, but by plugging them into a simulation in which 99% of the population accepts, they also neutralized the enemy.

How did 01 survive the nuclear bombing that emits EMP blasts?
I've actually talked about this with other Matrix fans, and the best answer we've been able to come up with is that the building in 01 were designed to shield the machines from an EMP blast and that they had advance warning systems that allows the machines time to go inside.

What was the point of The Merovingian?
In the movies, he really just played the role of a bad guy, which really sucks because they really should've expanded on The Merovingian and his exiles. However in The Matrix Online, they do expand on his character and on the exile race.

Who cares?
I do.

:)

Okay, wouldn't it take more energy to nourish/sustain the humans so that they can generate body heat than the machines actually get from the humans? Why not just kill 'em all and use nuclear reactors?

I'd have thought the ill-defined femininity and masculinity of the Matrix characters would turn someone like you off to the series.

Anyway, it's good entertainment, but nothing worth thinking too hard or long about.

If they used body heat for energy, why don't they just use cows?

Despite what you might've heard, the machines are actually animal rights supporters.

How did 01 survive the nuclear bombing that emits EMP blasts?

EMP shielding, duh. But they're too cheap to put in insulations on the newer generations thinking that EMP's a problem of the past.


What was the point of The Merovingian?

To give an excuse to show us how well sculpted Monica Belucci's body.

Okay, wouldn't it take more energy to nourish/sustain the humans so that they can generate body heat than the machines actually get from the humans? Why not just kill 'em all and use nuclear reactors?

Eh, the people plugged into the Matrix are pretty much coma patients on life support, so would it really take that much to feed and support them? Plus, everything is recycled in the machine world, flesh that has died out are recycled into those that are still plugged into the Matrix etc.

It was a stupid premise, if the machines wanted to wipe out humanity it's easy. We're biological, all they need to do is create a disease that'll wipe us out. Or release a toxin into the air, or radiation.

There are hundreds of ways to wipe out humanity without harming machines.

I've always wondered why they bothered with humans in the first place? why machines seem to be outsmarted by people? and what the hell where they smoking when the thought that blotting out the Sun would be a good idea :confused:

Didn't the humans agree to the Matrix as part of a peace treaty in the Animatrix? Second Renaissance II, I think. Given that the initial versions of the Matrix were all nice and stuff, this would make sense.

First film was good, other two, while flashy, I've never bothered to see again.

Eh, the people plugged into the Matrix are pretty much coma patients on life support, so would it really take that much to feed and support them? Plus, everything is recycled in the machine world, flesh that has died out are recycled into those that are still plugged into the Matrix etc.

Brain alone uses up 20% of our caloric intake.

It was a stupid premise, if the machines wanted to wipe out humanity it's easy. We're biological, all they need to do is create a disease that'll wipe us out. Or release a toxin into the air, or radiation.

There are hundreds of ways to wipe out humanity without harming machines.

The machines are only a reflection of their creators (mankind) so thats why they fought mankind in an all out war the way they did, and they were efficient at it. Also, a third reason why the Matrix was created, it goes back to Asimov's Three laws of Robotics.

If they used body heat for energy, why don't they just use cows?
Cows can't emote like Keanu Reeves can.
How did 01 survive the nuclear bombing that emits EMP blasts?
Robot magics.

What was the point of The Merovingian?
Cheap excuse to have swearing in French
Who cares?
Nobody of importance :) ;)

I've always wondered why they bothered with humans in the first place? why machines seem to be outsmarted by people? and what the hell where they smoking when the thought that blotting out the Sun would be a good idea :confused:

They bothered with humans, well see the first question in my OP. and machines aren't perfect, and the programming of the Matrix wasn't perfect, so of course some people were going to reject the simulation, and that would lead to those who reject the simulation to try to free the rest. As for the last one, they blacked out the sun because back then the machines run on solar power, and they thought that the machines would die out if they didn't have the endless energy of the sun. It was a last ditch effort that failed.

Didn't the humans agree to the Matrix as part of a peace treaty in the Animatrix? Second Renaissance II, I think. Given that the initial versions of the Matrix were all nice and stuff, this would make sense.

First film was good, other two, while flashy, I've never bothered to see again.

No, the humans were defeated, they surrendered, they lost.

I thought that the machines got their power from the electricity made by the human body? I don't remember anything about body heat from the movies, though it has been awhile.


Though, while you're bring games into it, don't machines suffer nuclear blasts openly in the animatrix and not get harmed by the EMP blasts?

I thought that the machines got their power from the electricity made by the human body? I don't remember anything about body heat from the movies, though it has been awhile.


Though, while you're bring games into it, don't machines suffer nuclear blasts openly in the animatrix and not get harmed by the EMP blasts?

I believe that the line went

"The prolong barrage engulfs 01 in the glow of a 1,000 suns, and unlike their former masters with their delicate flesh, the machines had little to fear from the bombs radiation and heat."

http://youtube.com/watch?v=YVqAvGzLk_8

It's at the beginning of this video.

As for how they get their energy from the human bodies, well I can't think of the line right now.

No, the humans were defeated, they surrendered, they lost.

Well, yes, but there was a scene in the UN, with a big robot signing some paper with the humans. That's always what I thought it was.

Why was Neo a badass that could kill smith and the other agents in the blink of an eye at the end of the first matrix, but only a seemed a little stronger than everyone else and lost all his coolness in the next two?

I mean, at the end of the first one he was nigh invincible to beat. But as soon as the second one opens it seems like he's lost all of his powers and isn't half as powerful.

I believe that the line went

"The prolong barrage engulfs 01 in the glow of a 1,000 suns, and unlike their former masters with their delicate flesh, the machines had little to fear from the bombs radiation and heat."

http://youtube.com/watch?v=YVqAvGzLk_8

It's at the beginning of this video.

What metal could possibly survive those temperatures and not melt?

How could that many nukes not irradiate the whole planet?

Brain alone uses up 20% of our caloric intake.

Nevertheless, it is all converted into heat in the end (2nd law of thermodynamics, discussed in another thread), so assuming that is how they harvest the energy output, that'd be the most effective way.

That is, if we disregard any other process which would have the same exact same result, i.e. turning some kind of energy into heat.

Assuming that they tab electrical energy, which would explain why they need quite a lot of people, organisms whose brains consume a lot of energy are an advantage, since the brain operates with electric signals (to the best of my knowledge).

Lastly, who said that they did not have cows plugged in too? I guess somewhere in the Matrix there should be cows.

Why was Neo a badass that could kill smith and the other agents in the blink of an eye at the end of the first matrix, but only a seemed a little stronger than everyone else and lost all his coolness in the next two?

I mean, at the end of the first one he was nigh invincible to beat. But as soon as the second one opens it seems like he's lost all of his powers and isn't half as powerful.

Upgrades to the Agent programs. Also "Smith" was Neo's other half, his dark side, so as Neo got stronger, "Smith" got stronger as well.

What metal could possibly survive those temperatures and not melt?

How could that many nukes not irradiate the whole planet?

I think 01 was damage greatly, but because of the machines efficiency and the way that they are able to mass produce things better and faster than humans, rebuilding 01, or several parts of 01 wasn't that big of a problem.

My hypothesis on the whole "cows" thing is this:

For matters of praticality the machines could have used cows yes.

BUT

In order for the machines to survive they have to evolve the same way the whit-suit-blokey has to keep reinventing the matrix.

THUS

The machines used human because if they have a matrix of human minds they have billions of human ideas to analyse at their will. Machines (being what they are) are not reknowned for being very lateral thinking and would probably be like "ah well cows are alright" and just continue the way they are until the earth explodes and theyre all like "ahh shit" cos none of them thought of building a space ship.

In conclusion with the matrix they not only have power and all that stuff, neutralise the enemy too, but they also preserve human minds which they can use to their advantage.

I believe that the line went

"The prolong barrage engulfs 01 in the glow of a 1,000 suns, and unlike their former masters with their delicate flesh, the machines had little to fear from the bombs radiation and heat."

http://youtube.com/watch?v=YVqAvGzLk_8

It's at the beginning of this video.

As for how they get their energy from the human bodies, well I can't think of the line right now.
That isn't the scene I remember. I remember robots walking with mushroom clouds in the background. Oh well, like i said it's been awhile. I do believe the energy from human bodies was from the first movie, though the only comment I can remember is "human battery". It should be around the whole explaination during the pulling in of "Mr. Anderson" into the fold.


Also with the reference to us being weak because of our flesh really does not lead me to believe the robots had bomb shelters. It makes more sense that the robots had gained the ability to manufacture themselves to withstand high heat and radiation, but it still fails to explain why EMP's did not work during the war but worked for the rebels. In fact EMP's probably would be created and used before nukes. more so if it was bomb shelters rather then some sort of manufactured immunity.


One more thing....We blot out the sun. ok...isn't it supposed to be around what 20 nukes (maybe less) and it would blot out the sun like a massive meter hit the earth?

Why did they have to ruin an awesome movie with two dreadful sequels?

Well I had a response but it logged me out, and I am lazy.

But you link also states that the machines used the bioelectric, thermeral, and kentic(sp?) energies of humans, which they learned to tap into during the "studying" they did during the war.



Part of the response was, if EMPs were used but ineffective due to bombshelters why would we use nukes (which a handful could destroy all human life anyway) instead of advancing EMP tech?

Why did they have to ruin an awesome movie with two dreadful sequels?

MONEY!

Well I had a response but it logged me out, and I am lazy.

But you link also states that the machines used the bioelectric, thermeral, and kentic(sp?) energies of humans, which they learned to tap into during the "studying" they did during the war.



Part of the response was, if EMPs were used but ineffective due to bombshelters why would we use nukes (which a handful could destroy all human life anyway) instead of advancing EMP tech?

The people who were freed from the Matrix did use EMP devices, they showed that in the first & 2nd movie.

Why did they have to ruin an awesome movie with two dreadful sequels?

Profit.

The people who were freed from the Matrix did use EMP devices, they showed that in the first & 2nd movie. I was talking about during the war. It isn't like we dont already have ways to create EMPs.


Last I heard many people think it would be the best way to fight technological countries (ie first world countries). You take out the technology they depend on and you've given yourself a big advantage.

well that was weird....wasnt posting.

The people who were freed from the Matrix did use EMP devices, they showed that in the first & 2nd movie. I was talking about during the war. It isn't like we dont already have ways to create EMPs.


Last I heard many people think it would be the best way to fight technological countries (ie first world countries). You take out the technology they depend on and you've given yourself a big advantage.

My hypothesis on the whole "cows" thing is this:

For matters of praticality the machines could have used cows yes.

BUT

In order for the machines to survive they have to evolve the same way the whit-suit-blokey has to keep reinventing the matrix.

THUS

The machines used human because if they have a matrix of human minds they have billions of human ideas to analyse at their will. Machines (being what they are) are not reknowned for being very lateral thinking and would probably be like "ah well cows are alright" and just continue the way they are until the earth explodes and theyre all like "ahh shit" cos none of them thought of building a space ship.

In conclusion with the matrix they not only have power and all that stuff, neutralise the enemy too, but they also preserve human minds which they can use to their advantage.

The machines would need our lateral thinking to realise they might someday need our lateral thinking.

THUS

They couldn't think of using humans in the matrix until they had thought of using humans in the matrix.

THUS

Lol, impossible.

I still have to buy Revolutions.

The first one was like wtf for 45 minutes. I loved the scene (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjUAJXDfj54) where Neo shot up the security checkpoint. I've often said that could actually happen.

I still have to buy Revolutions.

The first one was like wtf for 45 minutes. I loved the scene where Neo shot up the security checkpoint. I've often said that could actually happen.

No it could not. Any nut who tried would get shot in no time at all.

No it could not. Any nut who tried would get shot in no time at all.

Yea, but this is a movie, and in movies, anything is possible! :p

Yea, but this is a movie, and in movies, anything is possible! :p

and books. don't forget those. better than their movie counter-parts...

and books. don't forget those. better than their movie counter-parts...

True.

You are analyzing way too much. It was a movie meant to entertain - you have to suspend all disbelief.

If you spent half a moment thinking about it you would realize that the very premise of it is absolute garbage with no connection to reality or operating within the laws of physics.

But just for the mental masturbation... I would hypothesize that cows could not be used because large mammals simply did not survive the war - humans were the only real survivors. Everything else died out as the entire food chain collapsed - humans could synthesize enough food to survive, but nothing else managed to survive total ecological collapse.

Of course it then raises the question of why it has to keep people conscious anyway - surely the power required to maintain the matrix would far exceed any benefit from having people hooked into it.

If they wanted to kill off those outside the matrix, it would have been really easy - any kind of biological, radiological, or chemical agents would have done the trick with minimal effort. Of course, that wouldn't have made for a very good movie.

That being said, they displayed obvious knowledge of psychology to pick up a traitor and use him to infiltrate the humans, so I dont see why they couldnt have just recruited people from within the matrix.

Had they just created an 'alternate' reality and told people that this was the best way to keep humanity alive and provide the best standard of living (which it seems like it anyway), there would be no more war. Hell, they could make it like living in a virtual reality role playing game. Smith said the problem with the attempt to make a 'perfect' world was that people couldn't believe in it and so rejected it - if they knew all about it, the perhaps it wouldn't be a big deal.

Think about it - if someone offered you the chance to spend the rest of your life totally immersed in virtual worlds (think a first person version of second life, world of warcraft, shadowrun, dungeons and dragons, whatever) would you take it? Knowing about the system would allow them to program in safe guards so I would not actually get killed when 'killed' yet not reject the program. Sign me up! I will willingly be a battery.

Were it really possible to use humans as batteries, I think it would make the best possible space colonies. You could have a core of humans in such a setup surrounded by water to shield you from radiation - you wouldn't care about gravity because frail bones and atrophied muscles wouldn't matter. Then humans in the virtual environment could run the colony and supervise any robotic repair bots running around the ship, any probe sent off into space, any mining operations for new raw materials, whatever. In the meantime, between jobs or during travel through deep space, they could be frolicking in whatever virtual world they like.

I really do not see what is so horrible about being totally immersed like that.

No it could not. Any nut who tried would get shot in no time at all.

Yeah a bunch of hardly armed security guards against semiautomatics. :headbang: