The Matrix
I know we don't have to blog about it, but why not, right?
The Matrix has always been one of my favorite movies, but I haven't watched it in years. The obvious themes that relate to class are the ideas of perceived reality replacing our own, and simulation as a form of control. What are your thoughts on these themes? Are they included intentionally, or just a side-effect of the science fiction story?
One thing that the movie made me think about is using digital media (the internet, video games, etc.) to enhance or replace our less interesting real lives. In the movie this was exaggerated to the point where humans were not even aware of the substitution, but are we moving more and more to this? We already depend on digital media in order to organize our data, communication, and provide entertainment, but at what point will/do we forsake real-life experiences for digital ones? Much as people "addicted" to MMORPGs will give up social contact for the sake of their online lives, when do we move from a willing dependence on digital media to a willing preference over our real lives?
Lastly, who else caught the appearance of the book "Simulacra and Simulation"? Haha.
-Sean R.
1 comments:
Kudos for the blogging just because you wanted to talk about course material!
Regarding your question about people enhancing their real lives with virtual realities, I have a relative who met her husband (formerly of New Zealand) playing an MMORPG. Apparently, these kinds of transnational unions are becoming more common as a result of such global networking. On one hand, it's hard not to be surprised or critical--how do you know the person you've met is safe, is who they've represented themselves to be, and so forth--but on the other hand, at least in my relative's case, she seems to have found a great meeting of the minds with this man she would never have encountered without the MMORPG.
Just a few non-critical thoughts. We might be able to talk about this theme later when we deal with virtual gaming.
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