Originally posted by The Unknown
Smith (-1) took over Neo (+1). That was what was keeping the Matrix balanced. If you eliminate Neo, then that leaves -1 (unbalanced). When Smith took over Neo, it was unbalanced. The machines used some sort of program to destroy Smith through Neo.
That's what I said, in less words
not everybody smith copied had the same strength and abilities. the copies vary with each person. ie. the abilities of your smith copy will be different from my smith copy. and for the duration of the trilogy (until the point of smith taken over the oracle), smith was the lesser of the two (neo and him). it took the oracle's and smith's combined "powers" to surpass neo.
Neo when takes the red pill (red or saffron in many traditions represent knowledge...color of fire....red..purification) and blue is the color of illusion (like blue sky, blue ocean). this is the meaning of red pill and blue pill.
To take the blue pill means to accept the illusion as real and continue in that state.
To take the red pill means the willingness to wake up...to know the reality of this world. Morpheus is like a spiritual master guiding Neo to wake up by giving the choice....
Taking the red pill....neo for the first time experiences reality of the world. He sees a mirror in front of him. He is been exposed to his "Self" (soul, atma, cosnciousness whatever you want to name it). In that reflection he sees many layers of relfections....the melting liquid is that consciousness state which engulfs him....we find next the spiritual rebirth of Neo....beautifully shown in the way he comes ou nakes, breaking the placental like white cover...and comming out through the birth cannal and suffocating like a new born nude baby....
Its a beautiful symbolism...and everytime I discuss matrix i feel that rebirth in me. It is very interesting to read about the hidden meanings of matrix,, i read recently these in abook journey to the source decoding matrix trilogy at matrixjourney.com