Originally posted by The Omega
You have 250.000 people in Zion. 1 % of that is still 2500 rejectors. Even if it’s just 1% of 1 % you then have 25. We still don’t see anyone who’re the least bit troubled by the reality of Zion. It’s a programming flaw, not a conscious or subconscious choice, there will simply BE, by programming default, a percentage of the population who WILL reject the program. Neo unknowingly being part of an illusion, still does not explain the absence of Zion disbeliveers in reality.
I hope this does not sound condescending but your use of probabilities is slightly flawed. The probability figure obtained from calculating 1% of 1% does not mean that 25 people WILL "wake up". It means 25 people are the EXPECTED number of people that will wake up. That is, it may be 27, 19, 10 or even 0. So people CAN be running around an illusion that is Zion and not ever know it. Probability is not certainty! It is possible that no one would recognise up until now. And the flaw in the system IS the inability of the system to cater for every possible choice. The system cannot handle the (sometimes "irrational", without logical reason) choices that human beings make.
Originally posted by The Omega
And actually, Ushgarak has made a point, that more than anything goes in favour of Zion being real. Namely Smith wanting the access codes for Zion. If the city was part of the Matrix, why bother?
I don't think it's that hard to think of reasons. Please indulge me. Smith may not have known that Zion is part of the same system of control as the Matrix. In my theory you must think of 2 Matrix environments that are connected in the same system. Smith was a program that resided in the "20th Century" type Matrix for a specific purpose. Only very few programs know of the "bigger picture". I would guess the Architect and maybe "The Oracle". This, among other things, helps keep the illusion from falling to bits by...drumroll...renegade programs. The programs running around in the 20th Century Matrix will continue to do the job they were written for. However, Smith is now renegade and among other things has now found a way to transcend from one Illusion to the other! Bad problem!
BTW:This is another effect from Neo's actions i.e. if Neo hadn't CHOSEN to destroy Smith Smith would not have been free and, in particular, would not be able to enter Zion. An eventuality that the system, The Matrix, hadn't catered for. Now we have Smiths everywhere in The Matrix! 🙂 The problem is inability to handle choice (and the anomalies thus created).
Originally posted by The Omega
And I’m all against any metaphysics in the Matrix. I also thought there had to be a second Matrix (Zion), until I got an explanation from Enter the Matrix, that would explain why Neo could stop the sentinels, without resorting to anti-Ockham explanations.
And a copy of Neos digital self in the Matrix does not require metaphysics. We know the programs can copy themselves. An avatar in VR is nothing but a neat program. Usually, if the plug is pulled and the avatar is not disconnecting, the avatar will collapse. But suppose there were two Neo avatars. One returned disconnected while the other remained behind in the machine main-frame. All you need is “belief” in wireless technology on a biochemical scale to make it work 😄
Wireless technology at a Biochemical level? Are you saying that the Biochemical reactions in Neo's head in the real world "somehow" allow him to control this Avatar, still within the Matrix? The point is for you to Control your Avatar you need to be PLUGGED IN. Neo is not and thus the only explanation is action from a distance. Put another way,...Metaphysics! 😄