The Matrix is one of
the most talked about movies of recent time. The first episode was released in
March of 1999, quickly followed by several sequels, animated cartoons, comic
books, and video games. One of the reasons for the film’s popularity is it surreal
action, but even more important is the story line, which many viewers perceive
as a metaphor of real life.
The film portrays a future in which the world has been taken over by computers
and machines that cultivate human bodies to plug their brains into a global
network where they serve as computing assets. They are unaware of their true
state because they are programmed to experience a virtual reality in which they
believe they are living a pleasant and normal life while, in truth, they are
immersed in liquid pods wired up to the Matrix. Their pleasant experiences are
just in their minds.
The story centers on a small band of humans who have avoided the Matrix and who
are attempting to help others break free. The first step is to get them
unplugged, which is no easy task, but the second step is even more difficult.
It is to convince them to stay unplugged. The problem is that reality is
harsh and dangerous, whereas the Matrix offers a sense of serenity and comfort.
Once they are unplugged, humans must choose between reality and fantasy, and to
do so they are offered two pills. The red pill will bring them all the way into
reality. Once it is taken, they can never return to the comfort of delusion.
The blue pill will put them back to sleep where they can be reconnected to the
Matrix. Many choose the blue pill.
The parallels to modern life are obvious. There are those among us who know
there are forces and agendas behind the scenes that are not acknowledged by our
leaders and media gatekeepers, but they really would rather not know,
because it would be upsetting. Since they feel there is nothing they can do
about it anyway, they would rather continue their lives unperturbed by reality.
In other words, the Matrix is real.