Re: <nettime> The Matrix: Keanu lost in Plato's Cave

[Newmedia@aol.com]

McKensie:

I like the way that you conflate "humanism" (of the neo-Platonist, Florentine 
sort) with what most people would call the "enlightenment" (of the 
Newtonian/Comentian sort).  McLuhan's "Gutenberg Galaxy" is a good place to 
ground oneself in this common cause.

While there are various forms of "magicians" operating in these waters, in 
particular North/South and East/West forms, and despite the fact that many 
developments of the past 400+ years (particularly in warfare, right up 
through psychological warfare) are a result of conflicts between these 
"magicians", you are undoutedly correct to put all the "magicians" in the 
same leaky boat.

I am however curious as to why you propose, "The options are to go back to 
theology, or to try and invent a new way of thinking . . ."?

Why not do both?

In particular, I would suggest that the critical role played by "formal 
causality" in theology points towards some fruitful avenues for "a new way of 
thinking."  Don't you think?

If we recall that "form" is "structure", then isn't it our task to understand 
the "structures of experience"?  Particularly, if we are aiming to invent a 
"new" one?

Best,

Mark Stahlman

P.S.  The incorporation of these matters, particularly ones discussed on 
nettime and environs, into "popular culture" is clearly accelerating.  I 
would draw your attention to yesterday's NYTimes (Sunday, 28 Nov. 99) lead 
Op-Ed, Kurt Andersen's "The Next Big Dialectic: Cyber-captialism will ignite 
a new class struggle.  A new Marx is sure to follow."  Any suggestions as to 
whom that Marx might be?  Could it be McLuhan?  Maybe Richard Barbrook knows. 
<g>

P.P.S.  I have a copy of the script for "The Matrix" if you'd like to check 
Morpheus' actual words. <g>  BTW, the Greeks had multiple "gods" who ruled 
over dreams.  Morpheus was the one who gave us dreams of "humans."

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