During the architect scene in Matrix Reloaded, what was The architect trying to explain and what are his plans?
Essentially this is what The Architect tells us:
· The Machines have learned that the human brain cannot fully embrace their simulations unless it allows a real backdoor. A real choice of escaping - even if only on a subconscious level few will ever use. The Matrix must have a real dormant way to get free.
To solve this, their control system consists of four pillars:
1.
The Matrix - the primary prison (power plant).
2.
Zion - the secondary prison in the real world; a prison outside the simulation to house/managed "escaped" people.
3.
Neo - the prophecy of the One gives humans false hope, and he can help manage humans in the real world (unlike programs).
4.
A regular reset of Zion every 70-100 years to avoid that the human population of the outside world gets out of manageable control.
His plan was to get Neo to cooperate.
He needs Neo to help manage the anomaly, and the anomaly is this inherent human need for a choice of freedom, and the solution is allowing this choice under controlled circumstances. Neo is part of this solution. He is the
eventuality, meaning he is
inexorably made to solve the anomaly.
The Architect: “
Your life is the sum of a remainder of an unbalanced equation inherent to the programming of the matrix. You are the eventuality of an anomaly … Which has led you, inexorably, here.”
“
Sum of a remainder of an unbalanced equation …”, mathematically this means he is the right side of the equation. He is the sum, the result — he is their solution.
After the Architect explains that Neo is the eventuality of the anomaly, he goes on to explain how this system of control has been done five times before. Each with a Neo, and a Zion to control escaping humans. Also, further supported by the images on the screens in the background. When he says what Neo is, we see images of Neo’s childhood and upbringing on all the monitors. Quite clearly illustrating that his life is a controlled lie. A fabrication. Neo was never sought for. He was not unknown or a surprise. He was on a planned path from his very conception until that moment, standing before the Architect. He was
“inexorably, there”, to help keep the anomaly under control. And ultimately, to help reset the system when the number of escaped humans would have become too critical. All of which had been done five times before him.
[The 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 female, 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.”
In other words, The Architect then tells Neo he holds a code that is needed to save humanity. Only his decision can save it. That part is another trick, a leverage in his plan to convince Neo to cooperate.
The meeting with The Architect was for one purpose and one purpose only. It was to make Neo understand he had but one option to cooperate. They need a human (a Neo) to set up a new Zion, and nothing else.
It is evident by the fact that nothing happens to The Matrix after Neo chooses the wrong door. It doesn’t crash. It doesn't kill everyone connected, or anyone connected. It continues as it always would have. It is further evident when Neo then finally goes to The Source in Machine City, and it decrees that it does not need anybody - a reference to this code-fabrication. Of course, at that moment, it actually did need him – but for other reasons.
The question is, of course, why would the architect lie about Neo having a code? The answer is that Neo is presented with an ultimatum, purposefully designed to give Neo the impression of ultimate power where he can either save humanity or doom humanity.
The threat of this “code” makes Neo the key, and only he can save humanity. It is by his decision, and not somebody else’s. He has ultimate power over the future at this very moment — a binary choice. Of course, anyone presented with such power must use it… and help the machines. That was their plan: Making him believe he can only save humanity by cooperating blindly.
Would the ultimatum not have given him ultimate power - and him alone - it would not have worked.
Imagine if The Architect instead would say; “
help, or we will kill you and your kin.” Essentially it is not much different, except he is not a key here. In this case, he
could disagree, he
could fight back, and perhaps he
could even win. However, when they say
he is the key to saving humanity - he cannot fight; he cannot oppose… he has to surrender and give his “code”. He has no true choice this way. And this is how The Architect thinks; he cannot see past any choice he does not understand (the Oracle later tells us). It was clever, but it was bullshit. Or as Neo rightfully says; “
The problem is choice.”
The “reset of the Matrix” code-threat, was needed to make the charade work for them. Neo calls out on the bullshit (literally) and follows his heart (leading to Trinity) instead.
He has no “code” inside of him needed for a reset. No “code” is required to secure the Matrix from crashing. By choosing the “wrong” door, the Matrix did not crash. The Matrix was perfectly fine… Neo calling bullshit on the ultimatum permitted him to fight.
The Machines continue to clean out Zion, but now without the assistance of a Neo.