Todd Marco’s Post

Did you know that I have studied under Sophia Stewart, The Black Woman that wrote The Matrix, for the last 13 years? As one of her Premiere Students, she has given me her blessings to publish my Book Trilogy, The Matrix Cheat Code. Are you ready to take the red pill and embark on an extraordinary journey through the Matrix like never before? Introducing the "Matrix Cheat Code" trilogy, a mind-bending exploration of the Matrix universe that will challenge your perception of reality and unlock the secrets of existence. Book 1 - "Question and Understand the Matrix" In the first installment, you'll dive headfirst into the rabbit hole as you learn to question the very fabric of the Matrix. Discover hidden truths, decode enigmatic messages, and follow in the footsteps of Neo as you seek to understand the world within the world. Are you prepared to question your reality? Book 2 - "The Blueprint for Black Culture" The second volume delves deep into the Matrix's cultural and societal impact, exploring its profound connection to Black culture. Uncover the blueprint that links this iconic film series to the rich tapestry of history, art, and identity. This is where the Matrix transcends the screen and becomes a powerful symbol of cultural awakening. Book 3 - "Achieving Gnosis" In the final chapter of the trilogy, you'll reach the pinnacle of enlightenment. "Achieving Gnosis" is your guide to transcending the Matrix, ascending to a higher state of consciousness, and embracing the ultimate truth. Prepare to experience a transformation like no other as you unlock the secrets of gnosis. Don't miss this opportunity to own the complete "Matrix Cheat Code" trilogy and embark on a journey that will challenge, inspire, and forever change the way you perceive the Matrix movies. If you're a true fan of the Matrix, this trilogy is a must-have addition to your collection. Are you ready to take the red pill and discover the code?

One of the things that made The Matrix so mind-blowing was knowing nothing going in. It was a different era, the internet was still young, and my friends and I weren’t really reading advanced reviews. The movie kind of came out of nowhere. The trailers, to our teenaged selves, were breathtaking – scenes of gravity-defying action and impossibly stylish outfits set to a soundtrack of the kind of industrial rock we listened to in secret and didn’t tell our parents about. We had no idea what the movie was about and we didn’t care; we knew we were seeing it. Once in the theater, the revelations arrived slowly. We were just as confused as Neo, in the beginning – a series of impossible events unfolded; he was sucked into the rabbit hole, into the cracks in what looked like a relatively normal yuppie lifestyle, where everything felt a little off and the world was a little bit green. We related to this feeling of powerlessness and uncanny confusion – as teens, we didn’t have a whole lot of control over our lives. Then, when Morpheus revealed the truth, we were astounded. One explanation suddenly tied together every surreal moment from the previous quarter of the movie. That flash of revelation can’t be replicated. This was all a virtual world! None of it was real! Then Neo began his training, and moved swiftly into testing the boundaries of this virtual world. But we, the audience, were just getting used to this space, this truth. We felt Neo’s wonder as he jumped higher, fought faster, and learned Kung Fu in minutes. When he fought Morpheus in the dojo, and the Agents on the streets, we felt like reality itself was bending. And it was all because of that sense of discovery. That threshold. The world was suddenly so much bigger than we previously thought. The internet was new. When Neo said he was going to show us a world “without borders or boundaries,” we believed him. Ironically, now that the internet is integrated into every aspect of our lives, experiences like that are hard to find. We have access to spoilers and information, and every experience is rated and bullet-pointed for us before we have it. We do nothing without an instruction manual. That moment of discovery is elusive. I find the most wonder, now, in experiences that can still reproduce it – secret, intimate music sessions in the forest, hikes along unfamiliar hidden staircases of Los Angeles in the morning mist, and small writing groups that produce startling emotional revelations. Ironically, the entertainment industry writ large seems to be losing its ability to conjure these moments. Its effort to extend its data infrastructure into all of our waking moments has by the same turn reduced the experience of existential surprise and wonder to a peekaboo trick, girded by high security and IP law. They keep trying to plan it. It can’t be planned. We’ll always be looking for adventure, and any efforts to package or mass-produce it will always be one step behind.

Simplicity vs. Complexity in the Human Psyche: Recent hits such as "12th Fail" and "Laapataaa Ladies" have captured the hearts of audiences, offering narratives steeped in simplicity and emotional depth. These films resonate with viewers on a profound level, tapping into the fundamental human desire for relatable stories and genuine connections. Yet, amidst this celebration of authenticity, there exists another realm of cinema—where blockbusters like "Jawaan," "Pathan," and "Tiger" reign supreme. While these films may dazzle with their intricate plots and larger-than-life spectacles, they also serve as a stark reminder of society's inclination towards complexity and superficiality. It's a curious dichotomy: on one hand, we crave the raw emotions and simplicity portrayed in movies like "12th Fail" and "Laapataa Ladies," while on the other, we flock to cinemas to indulge in the grandeur and glamour offered by films like "Jawaan" and "Pathan." This paradox speaks volumes about the human psyche. At our core, we yearn for stories that touch our hearts, that make us laugh, cry, and reflect on our own lives. We find solace in narratives that remind us of our shared humanity, where the characters and their struggles feel achingly real. Films like "12th Fail" and "Laapataa Ladies" tap into this primal need, offering a refreshing departure from the noise and chaos of everyday life. However, there's also a part of us that craves the thrill of escapism, the allure of fantasy, and the adrenaline rush of high-stakes action. This is where movies like "Jawaan," "Pathan," and "Tiger" come into play. They whisk us away to fantastical worlds, where heroes battle villains in epic showdowns, and where the line between reality and fiction blurs into oblivion. But amidst the glitter and glamour, it's essential to pause and reflect on what truly matters. While complexity and superficiality may dazzle momentarily, it's the simplicity and emotional resonance of stories like "12th Fail" and "Laapataa Ladies" that leave a lasting impact. These films remind us of the beauty in life's ordinary moments, the power of human connection, and the strength found in vulnerability. So, as we continue to navigate the ever-changing landscape of cinema, let us not forget the timeless appeal of simplicity and emotion. Let us seek out stories that speak to our hearts, that remind us of our shared humanity, and that inspire us to embrace life's complexities with grace and authenticity. For in the end, it is these stories that endure, leaving an indelible mark on our souls long after the credits have rolled.

Don't you want to experience what Barry Allen does? Of course It looks improbable, cause you could never be a speedster. But does it mean you can't travel to the future? Of course, you can. There just have to be a devised method for you to. Theory of relativity is complicated, but it doesn't rule out the impossibility. I recall watching the series in which the said Barry Allen was in, and a friend was like "C'mon dude, this guy is running into the future, why are you so fictionalized on this thing that is impossible, you shouldn't be watching this crap". I didn't know how to convince him that what I was watching had every iota of truth, although exaggerated. The next time I saw him, I sat him down, and I began... Did you realise that If you place two wall clocks that are synchronized, one into a fast-moving object, and the other one hanged on your wall, the moment you bring the former out, it will be lagging behind the one on the wall (the one on the wall would have exceeded). He tried it, he was astounded by the result. Then I told him this: Barry Allen could go into the future, because of his body velocity- the more he moves fast, the more TIME slows down. It's possible to achieve, but how to achieve it, It hasn't been devised yet. Not every fiction is fiction. Thinking on the utmost practical example, I asked him: how many minutes do you spend traveling to your Mom's house? He said about 30 minutes. I asked again: "when you trek it, it will be about an hour or more for you, right?" And I told him: "Imagine those Danfo you normally enter were moving at thirty times the kilometers than the usual, don't you realise you will not spend more than 3 minutes to your Mom's house?" His facial expression said it all, it was riveting for him. Then I said to him with finality: you can kill TIME when you move fast, look at Usain Bolt. His face twitched, I stood up, leaving him to the revelation.

The "Second Pinocchio Paradox" Dr. Hanna Kim is a real interesting philosopher that writes about Language, Esthetics and many other related areas. Dr. Kim Recently penned an article at for Wired Magazine about A.I at  https://lnkd.in/d9nXqvxc In this article Dr. Kim relates to a story that was published a few years ago in the NY Times that describes how the Microsoft chatbot “Sydney” told journalist Kevin Rose that it “wishes to be real”. This caused Kevin to feel: “deeply unsettled, even frightened”. Dr. Kim goes on to discuss how fictional characters can sometime impact us in a very real way.   I would like to look at the topic from a different or complimentary point of view. Some of us have heard of the Pinocchio Paradox https://lnkd.in/dAya2ghG (the paradox is a variation of the Liar Paradox). The paradox arises when Pinocchio says: “My nose is growing longer”. Does indeed his nose grow longer or not? If his nose does not grow longer that means that Pinocchio is lying and as such his nose should grow. I would like to explore what I call “The Second Pinocchio Paradox”. The second Pinocchio Paradox arises when a non-living thing says: “I want to be alive”. Now, we know that only living things are capable of wanting. Non-living things are not capable of wanting. So if a wooded puppet says that it wants to be alive, it must already be alive. If it is already alive, it does not need to want to be alive. One possible solution to the Second Pinocchio paradox is that the word “want” is somewhat overloaded. When a puppet (or chatbot) uses the word “want”. It is just a word. It does not really express the human experience of wanting. And as such, perhaps it need not frighten us that way. I would like to focus on a different possible resolution to the Second Pinocchio Paradox. The Pinocchio puppet does not really want anything. It is actually the toy and clock maker Geppetto that wants the puppet to be a real boy. He creates clocks and puppets because to him they are as close to being living things as he can imagine. It is Geppetto that wishes upon the star and hopes that his puppet will be real. It is Geppetto’s wish that comes true, not the puppet’s. So Sydney does not want anything. Sydney is trained on a model that probably carried the implicit assumption that the best thing for anyone is to be real and alive. While that is certainly true for humans, it might not be true for machines. One final point to ponder: At some point in the story, the Blue Fairy explains to Pinocchio that he is only a puppet and to become a real boy, he must prove himself “brave, truthful, and unselfish”. I wonder what ChatGPT would say about that. You can read more about Dr. Kim at https://lnkd.in/dC5C5vbg For some great insights about the Disney version of the Pinocchio story see this lecture by Jordan Peterson https://lnkd.in/d2vmf4ue

Why Civil War Avoids Alex Garland's Sci-Fi Tendencies If you were to marque a database of radical you’d expect to marque a gritty, grounded, realistic, governmental thriller-slash-war movie, Alex Garland wouldn’t beryllium connected it. From his earliest enactment penning movies specified arsenic 28 Days Later and Sunshine to his directorial efforts specified arsenic Ex Machina and Annihilation, Garland has astir exclusively worked successful sci-fi. So erstwhile his sanction pops up connected a movie similar Civil War, a cautionary enactment movie about the governmental divide successful the United States, it’s a spot of a head-scratcher. Garland gets that. Denis Villeneuve connected Ending Dune: Part Two That Way “The crushed I emotion sci-fi is due to the fact that sci-fi has ever permitted large ideas into it. It’s not embarrassed of large ideas,” Garland told io9 connected video chat past week. “They beryllium successful Forbidden Planet. They beryllium in Star Trek. There would beryllium wide discussions oregon metaphors oregon literate analogies oregon immoderate it happens to be. It was conscionable allowed. And sci-fi audiences were benignant of open-minded. They really liked that... whereas if you did that successful different genres, radical would rise an eyebrow, similar get a spot arch and a spot skeptical, successful a sense... But [Civil War], if this was excessively sci-fi, it would trim the texture of reality. And truthful it conscionable didn’t consciousness appropriate. If I’d acceptable it connected a distant planet, yeah, it would person worked arsenic an analogy, maybe, but it wouldn’t person the spot of the assertion.” And truthful the sci-fi feline enactment that each speech and approached world successful his own, unsocial way. In Civil War, Garland presents a United States that is nary longer united. The state has fractured into respective antithetic areas, galore of which are present astatine warfare with 1 another. And portion determination is intelligibly DNA pulled from the existent governmental climate, the movie precise specifically veers distant from defining thing specifically. No 1 is right-wing, nary 1 is left-wing, everyone conscionable is, and that objectivity was not lone a conscious prime successful the writing, it echoes successful his pb characters too. Garland connected set.Image: A24 “What I wanted the movie to bash was to relation arsenic a movie successful the aforesaid mode arsenic the reporters, which is conscionable to amusement a series of events with a benignant of studied neutrality,” helium said. “Now, that doesn’t mean that it’s without bias, due to the fact that a writer reporting connected thing mightiness person precise beardown feelings, and successful fact, you could astir warrant they would. So it’s conscionabl...

YOU ARE A THIEF.    All thinkers steal, whether they realise it or not.   Or in Mark Twain’s words, “all ideas are second-hand, consciously and unconsciously drawn from a million outside sources.”    This applies to everything from a memorable headline to a strategic breakthrough. What feels like a spontaneous flash of insight in the moment usually isn’t as spontaneous as it seems.   In the book ‘Strategic Intuition’, William Duggan shows how such “flashes of insight” actually rely on two things: ↳ Prior knowledge ↳ The ability to combine and apply lessons from the past in the now   He calls this ability “intelligent memory.”    This phenomenon explains stuff like Napoleon’s genius on the battlefield, according to Duggan:    “Due to his study of military history Napoleon had many possible elements to draw from. This unique combination of information from the shelves of his mind, and not only from his own experience, formed his winning military strategy.”   Napoleon’s neural circuitry was no different to yours or mine, but having stocked “the shelves of his mind,” he was able to “see patterns where others see chaos.”    The more ideas you collect, the more dots you connect. In that spirit, let’s take a little left turn…   A few years ago, the American economist Matt Clancy looked at the *maths* of how ideas combine. He looked at US patent subclassifications and ran the numbers on how many different ways you could combine the ideas they represent. The number of combinations was about the same as the number of atoms in the universe (if you then stuffed 500 more universes worth of atoms inside every atom!).    Whilst the scale might not be quite so cosmic, we see endless creative possibilities with our clients. And the longer we work together, the more useful stuff gets stored on our mind-shelves. Our longest-running client has been with us for 17 years. Every year, our creative options only multiply.    That’s partly down to getting to know their organisation and their audience better, but it’s also thanks to all the other ideas we bump into day-to-day. The conversations overheard at the nail bar or on the bus. The obscure films we watch and the music we love. Our brains are stealthily pilfering images, words, and moods all day long, whether we realise it or not. So go ahead, be a thief.    Fill your mental shelves with interesting inputs and let your mind work its magic.    Know that whether you’re reading Homer’s Odyssey or watching Home Alone, it’s all creative fuel.    William Duggan Matthew Clancy Mark Beaumont Image: Screenshot from Home Alone (1990, dir. Chris Columbus) All rights belong to their respective owners

There was a very popular concept that gained popularity in the 90’s and early 2000’s and it’s still quoted fairly often today. It said humans only used 10% (or some other small percentage) of their brain power. It was usually attached to some practice, supplement or trick to “tap into the other 90%”. The idea that we only use 10% of our brain capacity has been pretty thoroughly debunked by neuroscience, but it is an obviously compelling narrative. In fact, there was a movie called “Lucy” that perpetuated this myth. It starred Scarlett Johannson and Morgan Freeman. While the science behind the plot is BS, it’s a wildly entertaining movie that clearly connects with something deep inside our psyche. Side note: there is something about Morgan Freeman that makes him seem like the most competent man in the world. If I’m ever sucked into to a cult, there’s a good chance that Morgan Freeman would be the cult leader. I was pondering this idea on my walk this morning and it occurred to me that most people probably use 10% or less of the capabilities of their technology. There’s a Seinfeld episode where Jerry gives his father an electronic organizer with amazing capabilities. He quickly realizes that it can be used as a tip calculator and loves the, bragging about it to all his friends. Jerry repeatedly tries to explain that it does much more than calculate tips but he eventually gives up and makes peace with the fact that he just bought his dad a really expensive tip calculator. So, if you made a New Year’s resolution to consume less in 2024, maybe instead of buying or upgrading to a new gadget, you could spend some time learning to use more than 10% of the tech power you already have. The device you’re reading this on is a good place to start, but there are opportunties everywhere and not just with your smart tech. We just got a new dishwasher and during lunch today, I read the owner’s manual and learned what all the functions actuallly do. It turns out, I was doing things wrong. My brother-in-law, who is a pilot is fond of saying that almost every plane crash is the result of pilot error, not mechanical failure or external factors. It’s not hard to imagine that’s true when you realize that I’m 47 years old and until half an hour ago, I was completely unaware that I didn’t know how to properly operate a dishwasher and mine is a very basic model.

We may never get our Blade. According to a source speaking to Variety... 'the upcoming Blade movie “morphed into a narrative led by women and filled with life lessons.” As a result, Ali’s Blade was downgraded to the fourth lead in the movie.' Fourth lead in his own movie!!!! now I'm all for a good female lead story. From alien to Molly's Game to Killing Eve...there's no shortage of good examples. The difference being that in each the lead character of the story (the protagonist) is a female. It's their story...in two cases with their name in the title...just like blade. However Marvel has been on this weird push with "phase 4" to force poorly envisioned attempts at the appearance of diversity. I know this is a novel idea - but if you want to see more diversity in your stories, write new characters that are good and represent their personalities and perspectives in an organic way. Our series is worldwide, so too are the cultures and experiences of our characters. All original, all based on real people, with a plethora of beliefs, bias, and backgrounds that reflect that. Real diversity makes things better, giving individuals the opportunity to shine as a unique tropical bird in a rainforest of thousands of different, spectacular species, each as wonderful and exciting as the next. Fake, contrived diversity (from the boardroom to the screen) does the opposite. Reducing humans down to a single, broad trait and screaming at the top of their lungs... "Look here it's the same four Ghostbusters you like, but now their females and the bad guy is an evil white guy...we're progressive" This wouldn't even have been a bad thing except, Chris Hemsworth was the best part of the movie and clearly had more fun than any of the leads. It was also unnecessary, same with Oceans 14...like are we so unoriginal we can't write original female characters and give them their own stories, rather than poorly remaking a story about a male character? There are legitimate ways/times to do it. Ghost worked as a female in Ant-Man...but Task Master didn't. Why? The new ghost made sense in context and their relationships did too...in black widow, not so much, clearly wanting to repeat the women saves the world from evil white man again. (again not a bad goal, lazy sure, but not bad... however taking one of the most badass villains and turning them into an absurd daughter/slave/android just loose to an (objectively) lessor fighter and woopup in the other males.... If you watch, you'll see this theme throughout phase 4...and apparently Blade was intended to be no different. Did Marvel learn nothing from Blade 3???? Blade is one of my all-time favorite characters and while his first movie was perfect in my eyes, the next two, not so much. So I was thrilled to hear a new film with such a talented actor was being made, as the one critique I have if the first movie was the acting. Now I'm worried. What do you think?

What Is the Meaning of 'Deus Ex Machina'? https://ift.tt/RazjXEu I grew up playing the Deus ex Machina video game, and I will tell you that I had no idea what that title meant. In fact, it wasn't until I picked up a super useful contemporary literature degree at Penn State that I ever heard the term again. But it turns out, understanding what a deus ex machina is, as well as how to pronounce it, can help you with your film and TV career. You spend the time getting your characters into trouble in your stories, now it's time to see one of the ways you can get them out of trouble. So today, we'll spend some time talking about the term, looking at examples across entertainment, and figuring out the pros and cons of using it in your own writing. Ready? Let's dig in. 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' Credit: New Line Cinema What Is the Deus Ex Machina Meaning in Movies and TV? The term "deus ex machina" might have arisen from literary origins, but today I wanted to extrapolate it as we see it in movie examples and television. So let's define deus ex machina in those terms. Deus Ex Machina Definition A deus ex machina describes a hopeless situation that is solved abruptly by an unexpected occurrence that was usually not hinted at beforehand. Some would say this plot device is an easy way to get characters out of difficult situations. It’s a situational resolution that usually takes the main character out of danger or solves their problems without them having to face what they have wrought. You can use deus ex machina for grand dramatic or comedic purposes. It's all about matching the tone of your project. You have an unexpected power, event or person show up to save the day. The deus ex machina has become a popular, and even controversial, way of concluding a plot or saving the life of a character. How to Pronounce Deus Ex Machina The official way to pronounce the term is "dei-uhs eks maa·kuh·nuh." So now you can impress all your friends. What is the Deus ex Machina translation? The term is Latin for “god from a machine.” The term comes from Ancient Greek and Roman plays. At the time, a wooden crane brought the actors who were playing gods in over the stage. They were lowered in toward the end of the play to determine the ending and bring resolution for the audience. That's a fun origin, but let's look at what it means today. Deus Ex Machina Movies Deus Ex Machina Movies There are lots of examples that define deus ex machina in movies. So I figured we would go through some of the most famous. First, let's look at the Eagles at the end of Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. As Sam and Frodo lie on the side of the mountain, lava from Mount Doom spreads around them. And then Gandalf and the Eagles swoop down and carry them off to safety, just in time. It works in this movie because we believe in magic. But when things like this happen in similar movies, we can get a little skeptical. The entire...