The WACHOWSKIS were prophetic in writing the story for "The Matrix" - the 1999 blockbuster film that spawned two more sequels and starred Keanu Reeves in the iconic character of Neo - "The One".
Five years after making the film, Facebook made its debut in cyberspace and everything as they say is all history.
"The Matrix" which talks about the concept of an alternate reality is pretty much what we're experiencing on the internet right now. Probably, in its most primitive phase, being online is already like entering into the virtual universe of the so-called "Matrix".
Social media and social networking sites, to many people around the globe, has already been their reality - from superstar celebrities to the ordinary teens - sites like Facebook and Instagram has become a way of life, a gauge by which they base their success, failures, values, hopes, happiness and dreams.
It is to most an escape from reality and to some a prison. It feeds on people and transforms them into human batteries - the same with what happened in the film. The only difference is that we don't need to be physically plugged in to the system to experience alternate reality - all we need is an internet connection and a PC, Tablet or a Phone, and we're there.
Now the dilemma in the movie is also the same with what's happening today - people need to ask themselves, WHICH IS MY REALITY?
In this day of age, it is so hard to determine what FREEDOM really is, and the cost we have to pay to have it. Are we really free?
I may be doing a little bit of a Morpheus in writing this post, but it is what it is. So to end, please allow me to share a conversation between Morpheus and Neo in the film:
Five years after making the film, Facebook made its debut in cyberspace and everything as they say is all history.
"The Matrix" which talks about the concept of an alternate reality is pretty much what we're experiencing on the internet right now. Probably, in its most primitive phase, being online is already like entering into the virtual universe of the so-called "Matrix".
Social media and social networking sites, to many people around the globe, has already been their reality - from superstar celebrities to the ordinary teens - sites like Facebook and Instagram has become a way of life, a gauge by which they base their success, failures, values, hopes, happiness and dreams.
It is to most an escape from reality and to some a prison. It feeds on people and transforms them into human batteries - the same with what happened in the film. The only difference is that we don't need to be physically plugged in to the system to experience alternate reality - all we need is an internet connection and a PC, Tablet or a Phone, and we're there.
Now the dilemma in the movie is also the same with what's happening today - people need to ask themselves, WHICH IS MY REALITY?
- Is my sense of worth determined only by the number of likes, hearts, follows and subscribers that I get from my pages?
- Is my environment limited only by what is most often shared and viewed on social media?
- Do I really have "real" friends or just a lot of trigger-happy social media active acquaintances that are hoping and expecting for me to reciprocate their virtual hugs?
- Are we the real masters of this alternate reality that we made for ourselves or are we just slaves forced to make love with our gadgets every single day?
In this day of age, it is so hard to determine what FREEDOM really is, and the cost we have to pay to have it. Are we really free?
I may be doing a little bit of a Morpheus in writing this post, but it is what it is. So to end, please allow me to share a conversation between Morpheus and Neo in the film:
Morpheus: The Matrix is everywhere. It is all around us. Even now, in this very room. You can see it when you look out your window or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work... when you go to church... when you pay your taxes. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.
Neo: What truth?
Morpheus: That you are a slave, Neo. Like everyone else you were born into bondage. Into a prison that you cannot taste or see or touch. A prison for your mind.
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