The Matrix

The Matrix was a movie made in 1999 that is more relevant today than people realize. Somehow, it serves as a metaphor for our world we live in.  The movie depicts a dystopian society whereas people live in an alternate reality, dominated by energy sources not within their control. Today's climate is very similar. People allow their smart phones and social media apps to help them see the world they live in. Many are lost in a world of applications, and critical thinking is playing less of a roll in our world. The sentinel machines are after all, technology.

The premise of the original is that Neo, played by Keanu Reeves learns that he has been living in an alternate reality. Morpheus, his guide offers home a choice. He can take 1 pill that allows him to stay in his current reality, or take another pill to free his mind to learn of the "real" world that his lives in. Once Neo frees his mind, he is able to see what is "real."

We live in an age that we Facebook is like a modern day civil war. Meme's shape reality. People use twitter to post in 140 characters or less their feelings and emotions regarding civil rights. The struggle is guided by minimal thought. Technology replaces pen and paper thought processes. Humans rely on emotional responses not through human interaction, but through computer interaction. In a sense, the Matrix is very real.

Realistic fiction and science fiction predicted today's world that we live in. We were warned early on by shows like the Twilight Zone and Outer limits that realities are sometimes created for us, and technology will strongly influence our perceptions of what is "real" The Matrix is a great example of this reality. So here is the question, when you woke up this morning, what pill did you choose? When a person questions reality, transformational changes can occur. We all have the potential to be Neo.