To have a direction in life and a purpose is that which is necessary to live. Without a direction, one can't really function-- in a sense, it's tantamount to being dead.
This was the difference between Red and Brooks of Shawshank Redemption. They did share a few similar traits: both were quite afraid of the "real" world and were also institutionalized by the prison (physically, they were free, but mentally, they were not). What set them apart was what happened during the two's stay at the half-way house. Brooks ended up committing suicide, while Red carved his name upon the ceiling and bought a compass to help him with the finding the treasure Andy left for him to find.
Red had something to live for. He had a direction (the compass) in life; a purpose. Brooks on the other hand had lost hope and was unable to live for he was unable to adjust to the truth of reality. Therefore, he ended up dead.
In a way, I identify myself with Brooks. Currently, I feel as if I've lost my way on this path of life. The freedom to decide is something I still can't adjust to, being so used to a lifestyle where I am somewhat like a robot following my parents' commands and such. Then, all of a sudden, I am pushed into college life, where my parents retreat and I am given full reign of everything-- mainly what to major in. Two years later, I am still as lost as I was in the beginning. Currently, I have a declared major, but I am unsure whether I really want a career path in that direction, as I am still contemplating the USMC.
Without input from the parents, I have ensnared myself into this cycle of self-doubt and uncertainty. I am drawn to so many other options, but without a proper direction, I am unable to proceed. Or in other words, I am unable to live.
I go on with each day without an aim, or a goal to work toward. Existing without existing. Living without living.
Then again... this is just a choice that I have made. I have the power to choose to break free from cycle, to have the drive and determination to find myself and realize what direction I truly want to walk in. I can choose to live.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Blind Marionette
When I first watched The Matrix, I really thought it was just a pure action movie without much depth to it. Yet, watching it this time, I had to eat the words I previously said about the movie. I watched it without truly watching it, concentrating on only the outermost (superficial) layer of it while ignoring to explore the other layers. I had failed to delve deep into the movie and explore the double meanings and symbolism it had to offer. (I think even with this experience, I can somehow manage to link it back to “Plato’s Cave.” This is kind of frightening yet fascinating, now I that I think about it. The allegory really does connect with nearly every aspect of our lives.) With knowledge from “Plato’s Allegory of the Cave,” I was able to see The Matrix in a different light.
The “Matrix” of the movie is a computer generated world where humans are completely controlled by the machines. This concept is not really that different from the world we live in today. We are wholly dependent upon technology to get us through each day. For instance, without my laptop, I would be unable to type up and post this blog.
We are controlled by technology, though often time we are not aware of it. We depend on the television for our news and entertainment. We depend on our computers and cell phones to communicate with our friends along with the rest of the world. Slowly, it becomes an addiction. Through our dependence, we are becoming enslaved to it. The more we advance, technologically-wise, the more we are tightening those shackles.
Then this begs the question: Why don’t we just stop using them? Wouldn’t that break the addiction?
In world of The Matrix, people cannot simply “unplug” themselves from the Matrix, for they are much too dependent upon the “system.” We also cannot “unplug” ourselves from this world. Literally every operation in our daily lives is based on technology. It would be the end if we “unplugged” ourselves from it. It would be painful, at least.
Though, that is in a way, an escape from that enslavement.
Neo, in order to be“the One”, had to die first. Through his death, he was able to shed his previous preconception about not being the One, transforming from Mr. Anderson to Neo. Also, for Neo to return to life, he needed to be loved (in this case, by Trinity). Emotions are what make us human beings. Through the love that Neo experiences, he is “re-humanized.”
Technology pulls us away from ourselves, voiding us of our emotions. We become detached from everything. It’s quite ironic, the more connected we are, the more distant we become— from ourselves and everyone else.
The “Matrix” of the movie is a computer generated world where humans are completely controlled by the machines. This concept is not really that different from the world we live in today. We are wholly dependent upon technology to get us through each day. For instance, without my laptop, I would be unable to type up and post this blog.
We are controlled by technology, though often time we are not aware of it. We depend on the television for our news and entertainment. We depend on our computers and cell phones to communicate with our friends along with the rest of the world. Slowly, it becomes an addiction. Through our dependence, we are becoming enslaved to it. The more we advance, technologically-wise, the more we are tightening those shackles.
Then this begs the question: Why don’t we just stop using them? Wouldn’t that break the addiction?
In world of The Matrix, people cannot simply “unplug” themselves from the Matrix, for they are much too dependent upon the “system.” We also cannot “unplug” ourselves from this world. Literally every operation in our daily lives is based on technology. It would be the end if we “unplugged” ourselves from it. It would be painful, at least.
Though, that is in a way, an escape from that enslavement.
Neo, in order to be“the One”, had to die first. Through his death, he was able to shed his previous preconception about not being the One, transforming from Mr. Anderson to Neo. Also, for Neo to return to life, he needed to be loved (in this case, by Trinity). Emotions are what make us human beings. Through the love that Neo experiences, he is “re-humanized.”
Technology pulls us away from ourselves, voiding us of our emotions. We become detached from everything. It’s quite ironic, the more connected we are, the more distant we become— from ourselves and everyone else.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Crawling in the Dark
“The Allegory of the Cave” sheds light on the very aspect of life that is seldom pondered: Are we truly acting on our own, or are we but mere puppets in some twisted scheme? How often is it that we stop to think about why we are doing something? Usually one is more concerned with reaping the fruits of their actions rather than consider the reason that prompted him or her to do so.
Life seems to be centered on a set pattern or schedule. Continuity. We just “go with the flow,” just because. It’s easier that way. There’s less thinking involved— no need to get all worked up over something that isn’t disturbing our lives. It is that type of thinking which tightens the shackles that which holds one captive to the darkness, relinquishing any hope that is left of reaching the field of true vision.
To free one from that bondage, one must learn the truth. Yet, why do we not question our present reality to seek that truth?
The saying, “the truth hurts” comes into play in this case.
When the prisoner who manages to break from the bondage and makes his way outside the cave, the first thing he experiences is pain. Being so used to sitting in one position and being in the darkness, it is quite difficult and painful to move smoothly the stiff, weak muscles and transitioning from the darkness of the cave to sunlight.
The affective influence on the cognition pushes one away from things that will result in a painful outcome. If something is negative, one is more likely to rationalize it so that it becomes something positive, all to in order to avoid that pain. Therefore, we tend to shy away from the truth. We tend shy away from pain.
There was a period in my life where things weren’t working out as well as I wanted them to be. Each day was tantamount to one spent in frolicking the fiery embers of Gehenna. Eventually I began twisting that reality into something a bit more digestible. I started lying to myself, distorting what was and what was not. I believed it. Every single one of those lies. I held them close, repeating each like a mantra. I was shackled by them. To all those that tried to bring me back toward the truth— the harsh, painful reality— I retaliated with hostility.
It was not until I finally decided to stop running away and to face all that I have been trying to escape from that I was able to bring myself back to the field of true vision— reality. I clawed my way through those lies I’ve woven for myself, thread by thread.
Though my hands bled and bones ached, I was glad to know that that pain was real. Through that experience, I have lived through the view point of both the shackled prisoner and the one that was fortunate and unfortunate enough to escape.
Life seems to be centered on a set pattern or schedule. Continuity. We just “go with the flow,” just because. It’s easier that way. There’s less thinking involved— no need to get all worked up over something that isn’t disturbing our lives. It is that type of thinking which tightens the shackles that which holds one captive to the darkness, relinquishing any hope that is left of reaching the field of true vision.
To free one from that bondage, one must learn the truth. Yet, why do we not question our present reality to seek that truth?
The saying, “the truth hurts” comes into play in this case.
When the prisoner who manages to break from the bondage and makes his way outside the cave, the first thing he experiences is pain. Being so used to sitting in one position and being in the darkness, it is quite difficult and painful to move smoothly the stiff, weak muscles and transitioning from the darkness of the cave to sunlight.
The affective influence on the cognition pushes one away from things that will result in a painful outcome. If something is negative, one is more likely to rationalize it so that it becomes something positive, all to in order to avoid that pain. Therefore, we tend to shy away from the truth. We tend shy away from pain.
There was a period in my life where things weren’t working out as well as I wanted them to be. Each day was tantamount to one spent in frolicking the fiery embers of Gehenna. Eventually I began twisting that reality into something a bit more digestible. I started lying to myself, distorting what was and what was not. I believed it. Every single one of those lies. I held them close, repeating each like a mantra. I was shackled by them. To all those that tried to bring me back toward the truth— the harsh, painful reality— I retaliated with hostility.
It was not until I finally decided to stop running away and to face all that I have been trying to escape from that I was able to bring myself back to the field of true vision— reality. I clawed my way through those lies I’ve woven for myself, thread by thread.
Though my hands bled and bones ached, I was glad to know that that pain was real. Through that experience, I have lived through the view point of both the shackled prisoner and the one that was fortunate and unfortunate enough to escape.
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