Proog represents the "unenlightened" old guard, who believes we can't escape "the machine". He truly sees its power and menace, and is both threatened and awed by it. Emo represents a younger generation who has grown up with "the new reality"; he is unimpressed and fearless of "the machine".
Proog tries to teach Emo to fear and respect "the machine". When he realizes Emo will not submit to Proog's reality, and since Proog believes "the machine" to be punishing both him and Emo for their insolence, he strikes Emo.
At a more specific level: given the film's objective (showcasing the power of Open Source), the context can be the world of software and high tech. So "the machine" represents the hegemony of proprietary software through ugly design, and the fact that its staying power is based on the fear, uncertainty and doubt of escaping it. "The new way", then, represents Open Source, interoperability, community collaboration.
To quote Eric Raymond, The Cathedral and the Bazaar.
Proog tries to teach Emo to fear and respect "the machine". When he realizes Emo will not submit to Proog's reality, and since Proog believes "the machine" to be punishing both him and Emo for their insolence, he strikes Emo.
At a more specific level: given the film's objective (showcasing the power of Open Source), the context can be the world of software and high tech. So "the machine" represents the hegemony of proprietary software through ugly design, and the fact that its staying power is based on the fear, uncertainty and doubt of escaping it. "The new way", then, represents Open Source, interoperability, community collaboration.
To quote Eric Raymond, The Cathedral and the Bazaar.