Matrix and Maya

Did you know that the concept of the Matrix is based on the philosophy of Maya? Basically, this ancient Indian philosophy states that the whole world is but an illusion and that there is no real beginning or end of life. It is closely tied with the philosophy of Karma which is probably better known - Karma holds that you should not worry about the success of failure of your actions as it is not really relevant; it is more important to do your duty. Also, the Matrix talks about a creator which is also a computer program like everyone else in the Matrix. That is probably derived from the philosophy of "aham brahma" which states that there is no real difference between the creator and the creation. The overall philosophy is that the whole world is the creation of the mind and that your strengths are determined by your mind. The powers of Yoga are based on this idea. Check this article and analysis that follows which gives a better description of the idea than my ramblings.

Too hot to blog or even think. I'm just gonna read crazy stuff for a while. Someone please tell me how to cool off!

After browsing around Borders for two days, I finally gave in to the temptation and bought a book - Wilbur Smith's "Birds of Prey". The size of any Wilbur Smith book is daunting but his descriptions of old-wordly adventures, voyages and wars are enchanting. The best part is that the books are long enough to last me for a couple of days and I wanted something that would last me for the rest of the Memorial Day weekend. Proud of my purchase, I swagger into the Harkins Centerpoint theatre and while I'm trying to arrange my ticket stubs and credit card, a tiny kid walks up to me and starts up a conversation:

Kid: [something unintelligible]...book...[unintelligible again]
Me: You wanna read this book? (how on earth is this tiny kid gonna read this big fat book?)
Kid: No, I already read it. It's good.

ahem.

I sometimes forget that even in this age of television and playstations, there are kids who enjoy reading books. The rest of the kids do not know what they are missing! I spent my entire childhood reading every conceivable book I could lay my hands on and I can say that nothing beats that experience. Sadly many of those books that my school library had are no longer in print. I wonder if anyone has delighted in the magical world of Enid Blyton or Malcolm Saville..

Saw David Lynch's Mulholland Drive tonight.. will someone please tell me what the movie is all about? Holly the movie buff tells me that no one has ever understood a David Lynch movie, so I'm in august company. Sounds like the director put in a pile of b.s. and people started tripping on each other trying to call him great and give him awards while he kept sniggering away and laughing at all the fools (Holly, u listening?)

The Matrix Revisited

Saw the Matrix on Saturday. I don't care what the reviews say; I found it amazing! For those of you who (like me) racked their heads over the final conversation between Neo and the architect of the Matrix, here's a transcript (courtesy my friend Vivek Iyer who shamelessly filched it from somewhere else).

----------------------------------WARNING: SPOILER----------------------------------

Architect: hello Neo.

Neo: Who are you?

Architect: I am the Architect. I created the Matrix I've been waiting for you.
You have many questions, and though the process has altered your consciousness you remain irrevocably human ergo some of my answers you will understand, and some of them you will not.
Concordantly, while your first question may be the most pertinent, you may or may not realise it is also the most irrelevant.

Neo: Why am I here?

Architect: Your life is the sum of a remainder of an unbalanced equation inherent to the programming of the matrix. you are the eventuallity of an anomaly which despite my sincerest efforts I have been unable to eliminate from what is otherwise a harmony of mathematical precision. While it remains a burden asciduously avoided it is not unexpected, and thus not beyond a measure of control. Which has led you inexorably....here

Neo: You haven't answered my question.

Architect: Quite right. Interesting...that was quicker than the others.

(TV "Neo"s:
Others [how many others?] what others? answer my question!)

Architect: The matrix is older than you know. I prefer counting from the emergence of one integral anomaly to the emergence of the next, in which case this is the 6th version.

(Tv Neos:
5 ones before me? 4...3..2.. what are you talking about? There are only 2 possible explanations, either no one told me....)
Neo: ...or no one knows.

Architect: Precisely. As you are undoubtedly gathering, the anomaly is systemic--creating fluctuations in even the most simplistic equations.

(Tv Neos:
You can't contol me!
I'm gonna smash the wall
I'll fukkin kill you!
etc..)

Neo: Choice. The problem is choice.

Cut to Trinity vs Agent.

Architect: The first Matrix I designed was quite naturally perfect, it was a work of art...flawless, sublime. And triumphed equally only by its monumental failure. The inevitability of its doom is apparent to me now as a consequence of the imperfection inherent in every human being. Thus. I redesigned it based on your history to more accurately reflect the varying grotesqueries of your nature. However, I was again frustrated by failure. I have since come to understand that the answer eluded me because it required a lesser mind, or perhaps a mind less bound by the parameters of perfection. Thus the answer was stumbled upon by another--An intuitive program, initially created to investigate certain aspects of the human psyche. If I am the father of the matrix, she would undoubtedly be its Mother.

Neo: The Oracle.

Architect: Please. As I was saying, she stumbled upon a solution whereby nearly 99% of all test subjects accepted the program, as long as they were given a choice...even if they were only aware of the choice at a near unconscious level. While this answer functioned, it was obviously fundamentally flawed, thus creating the otherwise contradictory systemic anomaly, that if left unchecked might threaten the system itself. Ergo those that refused the program, while a minority, if unchecked would constitute an escalating probablility of disaster.

Neo: This is about Zion.

Architect: You are here because Zion is about to be destroyed--its every living inhabitant terminated, its entire existance eradicated.

Neo: Bullshit
(TV Neos:
Bullshit!
Bullshit!
Bullshit!)

Architect: Denial is the most predictable of all human responses, but rest assured...this will be the 6th time we have destroyed it, and we have become exceedingly efficient at it.


Cut to Trinity vs Agent

Architect: The function of the One is now to return to the Source, allowing a temporary dissemination of the code you carry, reinserting the prime program. After which, you will be required to select from the matrix 23 individuals--16 females, 7 male--to rebuild Zion. Failure to comply with this process will result in a cataclysmic system crash, killing everyone connected to the Matrix, which coupled with the extermination of Zion will ultimately result in the extinction of the entire human race.

Neo: You won't let it happen. You can't. You need human beings to survive.

Architect: There are levels of survival we are prepared to accept. However the relevant issue is whether or not you are ready to accept the responsibility of the death of every human being on this world.
It is interesting reading your reactions. Your 5 predecessors were, by design, based on a similar predication--a contingent affirmation that was meant to create a profound attachment to the rest of your species, facilitating the function of the One. While the others experienced this in a very general way, your experience is far more specific--vis a vis..love.

Neo: Trinity.

Architect: Appropos, she entered the matrix to save your life, at the cost of her own.

Neo: No...

Architect: Which brings us at last to the moment of truth, wherein the fundamental flaw is ultimately expressed, and the anomaly revealed as both beginning and end.
There are two doors. The door to your right leads to the Source, and the salvation of Zion. The door to your left leads back to the matrix, to her and to the end of your Species. As you adequately put, the problem is choice. But we already know what you are going to do, don't we? Already, I can see the chain-reaction--the chemical precursors that signal the onset of an emotion, designed specifically to overwhelm logic and reason--an emotion that is already blinding you from the simple and obvious truth...she is going to die, and there is nothing you can do to stop it.

Architect: Hope. It is the quintessential human delusion, simultaneously the source of your greatest strength and your greatest weakness.

Neo: If I were you, I would hope that we don't meet again.

Architect: We won't.

Neo exits out of the left door.

The Dullest Blog in the World

No, I'm not talking about this blog (did it even cross your mind? I'm offended!) The person who maintains the official dullest blog in the world has raised dullness to an art form and in the most ironic way possible, the dullness of his blog has turned out to be interesting for a huge fan following. His readers start complaining if the one of the posts gets even faintly interesting. In a prime example of how dullness can be shared like cheerfullness, his fans have elevated it to a new level by posting even duller comments. For your daily dose of dull, point your browser here.

I couldn't resist the temptation to post one of the comments on the dullest blog, so I didn't.(resist, I mean) Here it comes:
when you fold a newspaper, the people in the photos scream
ah..um... one last okay?
Do you think that if a cow gets a real bad case of the giggles, milk comes out of its nose? Just wondering

I wonder.

File Sharing.. the fight continues..

I'm sure everyone has heard about the case where the RIAA sued four college students for setting up file sharing networks and finally settled for around $15,000 from each of them. I'm sure they meant it to be an example for other students so that it would deter them from downloading files or setting up similar networks. Very honorable intentions indeed, but I'm not sure how many students are really deterred by such things. The people who downloaded files from KaZaA are still doing so, and I see no reason for them to stop unless all p2p networks go poof! into thin air. I'm not saying that it's ethically correct to share or download files, but if the industry thinks that they can stop the problem by making students look like criminals, they and their lawyers need to so some rethinking.

Joe Nievelt, one of the four students who were sued setup an index of files that were available on computers in the school network. In this Wired news article, his lawyer compares the action to Google since all they did was to put up links to files. The RIAA spokesperson disagreed saying that "When you search on Google, you get links to Web pages. These mini-Napster networks do not create indexes of links to websites; what they create are indexes of media files. Then with a single click of your mouse, the file is immediately downloaded to your hard drive. This is just like Napster,". Oh, is that so? This spokesperson obviously has not seen too much of the Net to know what he's talking about. Google does not just index webpages and create links to them. It indexes EVERYTHING it can find on the Net.If you have a server and you do not set up your server to hide the directory listing, u can bet your sweet behind that you will find an index of all the files on Google, much like the index Joe Nievelt is talking about. I regularly use Google to find files that I need especially when some program of mine crashes because of some corrupt files. Just try this query on google to see the snapshot of someone's folder. It's not just an index, you can click on the link to download the file exactly the way the RIAA spokesperson accuses Nievelt's index of doing. Will the industry sue Google for creating file indexes? After all, as you can see if you click the link I've provided, it's not just a link to someone's folder, it's a copy of the index stored on Google's computers, much like Napster was accused of doing sometime ago.

File sharing is definitely a problem, but it should be solved in a more sensible way. For one, the industry should recognize that the Internet is built for file delivery. If they do not provide media legitimately, there will be others who will do it. For ages, the industry said that people would not pay for legal file downloads. Apple trashed that myth in a week when they got a million song downloads for the not-so-cheap price of $0.99. Once upon a time, the industry went to court saying that VCRs should be banned since they allowed people to make bootleg copies of television shows and movies. Can you imagine what would have happened if we didn't have some sane judges to throw out their case back then? In much the same naive way, they want to shut down all p2p networks while ignoring that it is an amazing technology with zillions of legitimate uses. Yeah sure, you can use them to share copyrighted stuff, but you can also use a car to run down a person in the middle of a street - the possibility of illegitimate use is no reason to get rid of technology which can be put to good use in so many other situations. People will pay for legitimate stuff, as long as they are not restricted by DRM rules which say that you can play the file on your computer, but only if you keep paying a monthly fee and promise to kiss the industry's sweet butt every morning of your life. Whatever many companies might have to say on this matter, I believe there is only one simple rule of buying and selling : If I pay for something, I should own it. If I want it, it should be for sale else I'll take it from someone who's willing to give it for free to me. If that sounds unethical, think again - we all act by those rules.

Just popping in..

Had one major exam today.. I didn't intend to blog before the finals get over, but the relief after this test is tremendous. Had a project to submit today too, and of all the ways that Murphy's laws can manifest itself, it had to do so by messing up my simulation outputs. I was working both at home and the computing centre and I unintentionally copied an older version of a file over a newer one at home and then I just couldn't get back to my original results. Pretty maddening if you've been up all night doing something else confident about the fact that the simulation will run properly the next day and you find yourself in such a sticky situation. Thankfully things worked out find and the exam was pretty decent too, so I'm just plain relieved.

Do check out this AI game (login as anonymous) where the program tries to guess what you are thinking off by using a series of general questions. The nice thing is that the system uses your responses to update it's own pool of knowledge so that as more people play the game, it gets more intelligent. Try it out, it's an interesting exercise in AI.

An interesting email I received today was about an ad that takes the concept of subtlety to a new degree. I stared at the pic for a good 15 minutes before my roomie Anoop saw it and exclaimed.. okay, I'm not ruining the fun for you.. check it out here and try to find it yourself. In case you find it interesting, you might also like to check out the Fig Leaf Awards for the not-so-subtle ads.

Be Right Back

It's that time of the semester again..finals.. So I'll take a short break from blogging till the 15th of this month when I become a free guy again! (at least, I'll have one less thing to blame if I get messed up grades). See you all after the break!

Ahh... bollywood once more..

I got this email from Jimmy about hindi movies being shown on TBS by Turner Classic Movies. They plan to show 3 Indian movies every thursday night and believe me, the schedule I received was wayyy too impressive. To say that every movie on the schedule is amazing would be an understatement. Guys, see them all! Here's the schedule as I received it. My personal favourites are Sholay (the best goddamn western I've ever seen), Dil Chahta Hai, Rangeela and Bombay. And yes, do check out Pyaasa.

While you are at it, check out this course I found at Loyola University Chicago
CHECK YOUR TV GUIDE FOR THE RIGHT CABLE CHANNEL AND TIMES FOR YOUR AREA.


JUNE 5th

8:00 PM Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)
A young man meets a woman on a whirlwind tour of Europe and then follows her to India to stop her marriage without knowing her feelings for him. Shahrukh Khan, Kajol, Amrish Puri. D: Aditya Chopra. 181m. LBX


11:30 PM Bombay (1995)
A superb Mani Ratnam movie about love breaching the barriers of religion in the great metropolis Bombay. Arvind Swamy, Manisha Koirala, Nasser. D: Mani Rathnam. C 135m. LBX


2:00 AM Amar Akbar Anthony (1977)
Three brothers, separated at birth and following very different paths. Very funny and touching. Vinod Khanna, Rishi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan. D: Mammohan Dasai. C 162m.


JUNE 12th

8:00 PM Rangeela (1995)
A young actress' rise to stardom is complicated by conflicting affections for her smart and suave co-star and her uncouth childhood sweetheart. Jackie Shroff, Aamir Khan,
Urmila Matondkar. D: Ram Gopal Varma. 143m. LBX


10:30 PM Dil Chahta Hai (2001)
Three friends have their lives transformed by love during one marvelous summer. Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Akshaye Khanna. D: Farhan Akhtar. 183m.


2:00 AM Sholay (1975)
An epic western about the quest for a terrible bandit in the heartland of India. Marvelous screenplay and direction. Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar. D: Ramesh Sippy. 200m.

JUNE 19th

8:00 PM Pakeezah (1971)
A free-spirited young woman refuses a prince's proposal for love of a man she only met once. Enchanting music and the unforgettable Meena Kumari as courtesan. Ashok Kumar, Meena Kumari, Raaj Kumar. D: Kamal Amrohi. 146m. LBX


10:30 PM Junglee (1961)
Shammi Kapoor as a stiff upper lip rich guy who is turned into a Yahooligan by his love for Saira Banu. Shammi Kapoor, Saira Banu, Helen. D: Subodh Mukherji. 140m.


1:00 AM Awaara (1951)
A bitter young man vows revenge on the two men who destroyed his mother's life. Raj Kapoor, Prithvari Kapoor, Nargis. D: Raj Kapoor. 171m.


JUNE 26th

8:00 PM Mother India (1957)
A family struggles to survive the machinations of an evil moneylender. Nargis, Sunil Dutt, Raaj Kumar. D: Mehboob Khan. 174m.


11:00 PM Do Bigha Zamin (1953)
Family members risk all in a move to Calcutta to raise money and save their land. Balraj Sahni, Nirupa Roy, Ratan Kumar. D: Bimal Roy. 125m.


1:30 AM Pyaasa (1957)
A young poet searches the world for pure love. Guru Dutt, Mala Sinha, Waheeda Rehman. D: Guru Dutt. 141m.