The following is sort of a reverse FAQ about The Matrix films in that I pose the questions and you give the answers. If you'd like to contribute just click here. If your answers are thoughtful or ridiculous enough I'll add them to the mix. (Note: The mail link will pre-populate the email body window with the questions. There are no question marks as they're reserved for formatting purposes.)

(1) The Machines were fighting mankind... why?

Classic Frankenstien's Monster scenario. Or, if you like, what happens in Terminator (without the time travel crap), and the human lose. The created hates the creator, because, basically, humans are assholes when it comes to power (sic, see you're own recent commentary on Health Insurance Executives). - Rich S.


(2) If the Machines were so smart why didn't they just scrub the atmosphere clean and return to using the same old-fashioned solar power they started with?

It would seem that the humans did something that couldn't be undone. Or, if it could be undone, would cause another problem (like turn the atmosphere acidic, which would destroy the machines), or take longer than just a few years, in which time the humans hoped to regain the upper hand again. Or, have been from their "secret underground bunker" adding to the problem. - Rich S.


(3) If there was no sunshine, and thus no crops, what were the Machines feeding their human "batteries" to keep them alive?"

Fungus. I like mushrooms, but I don't think that I could eat them indefinitely as just mushrooms. Maybe, just maybe vegetables from hydroponics. You don't need sunlight, just a light. Protien is alluded to come from the ground up remains of those who out live there usefulness as a power source (Soylent Green anyone?). You would still need to have input into the system, as you would still have waste. So... Fungi, and Hydroponics... - Rich S.

(4) Mankind was reduced to living in a concrete coccoon deep in the bowels of the Earth. Why should the Machines care?

If the free-thinking humans are still plotting a return to power, or can still mess with the atmosphere, I would think that would be a concern of the machines. - Rich S.


(5) What the hell were the Machines doing up there?

I have no idea. I could be as simple as, just trying to 'live' like any sentient being. - Rich S.


(6) How can a computer virus infect a human host?

You mean Bane, of course. The only thing I can think of is that his brain was fried, and then super-imposed/encoded to be Smith. - Rich S.

If they have the ability to directly interface, read and write to a human brain (necessary for the matrix), then they probably know how to reprogram a brain, too. Now, why they didn't just do that in the first place is beyond me. - Stephen C.


(7) Why did they turn such a cool character as Morpheus into a mewling cipher?

No clue. - Rich S.

Because he served his sole purpose in the first movie - finding and motivating "The One". Beyond that, there was no reason for him to exist. But everyone liked him, so there he is. - Stephen C.


(8) How did Neo attain such godlike powers?

The whole point of Neo (and the others like him - remember all the kids in the waiting room of the Oracle?) was that there were always some who could directly see the Matrix encoding. ('The point to remember is that it's not that I can bend the spoon, but rather, that there is no spoon to begin with." - I think I'm paraphrasing a bit, but that's close). So, if I know there are controls behind the curtain, then I can be 'Oz the Magnificent!' too. - Rich S.


(9) After all the destruction that occurred between man and Machine the real enemy was Smith? Really?

Smith was a rogue program that the Architect did not factor in as a threat. The Architect (with the Oracle) allowed humans to run the course of resets. Smith, once he took over even the Achitect (and he would have eventually), would not care about the reset. So, the enemy of my enemy, may not be my friend, but I can at least deal with him. Maybe. - Rich S.


(10) The Machines and mankind ere at peace... why?

Because the machines work in a 'lawful' way. They made an agreement and would stop pursuing the free humans. They still don't trust the humans (and neither would I), because sooner or later, some human is going to come along and figure a way to destroy the machines (since they have time to focus energy on this instead of infiltrating the matrix and sowing the seeds of rebellion, and trying to outwit the hunter killer machines). But they agreed that stopping Smith (which preserved the Architect), was worth peace with the humans. Immediate self preservation is very powerful. Who knows if the machine will turn out to be more like their creators and double cross the humans and start all over again....? - Rich S.


(11) Why was the Matrix necessary?

To keep the batteries (the humans) as long and as efficient as possible. Keep their brains engaged in a pseudo reality, while you suck off all the energy that they produce. If you may remember, the current version of the matrix seems like our current earth. They did try to do at least one 'Paradise,' but the humans went crazy and died anyway, thus making them useless as a power source. Keep humans striving for perfection and harmony, then they wont notice the stage. - Rich S.