Introdcution
The movie The Matrix represents a new reality or a new philosophy of the 21st century. However, the central idea of this philosophy is not new. For many years people were trying to find the answers to very specific questions such as who we are, where we come from, and where we will end up. Many of the global religions include a belief in destiny. In other word, people want to believe that there is some kind of super-powerful creature who has absolute power over human lives starting from the birth and till the death and even after it. People believe that their destinies have already been predetermined. The Matrix raises this question too. It is based on the idea that people are not living their true lives because machines have gained control over their consciousness.
Main body
The Matrix is a product of new reality or new philosophy of technologically-advanced society. The Matrix philosophy can be defined as follows: human beings will eventually lose their position of the most intelligent creatures as over-dependence on technologies creates a fear that will of people is no longer free.
Jenkins argues that The Matrix is a new mode of transmedia storytelling. He achieves this conclusion looking closely at interconnections between the various Matrix texts. For examples, the stories and characters in the first movie can be referred to or further developed in the second or the third parts. However, Jenkins does not pay any attention to philosophical aspects of the movie. In particular, the control of machines over humans is very relevant for the modern people as technological advancements are integral elements of everyday life. People drive cars, watch television, work at computer, and use machines even to wash the dishes. As the result, people are dependent on machines and this dependence gives rise to many philosophical questions. As Jenkins wrote, “the film need not be well made, but it must provide resources consumers can use in construction their own fantasies” (97). This statement can be directly applied to the movie The Matrix as it makes people think about their lives, use of technologies, destiny, and consequences of overdependence on technologies in daily life.
The Matrix may be a new mode of transmedia storytelling, as Jenkins argues, but the value of the movie can be traced to the underlying philosophy. Machines do have control over lives of people today. For example, it is hardly possible to imagine a successful businessman who does not use a cell phone to make calls. Innovation of a cell phone has turned into a necessity. The absence of any of the technological advancements may lead to panic. The Matrix shows the possible consequences of this dependence: people no longer have power over computers as technologies became more intelligent than humans. Undoubtedly, there are many people who can live happily without watching television but the vast majority of people watch different programs daily. The Matrix shows the philosophical interpretation of modern life.
The Matrix appeals to emotions of people because it presents a picture of the possible future. Moreover, as the author of the article The Matrix (BFI Modern Classics): An Exclusive Excerpt argues, “the screenplay and scenario studiously invite us to grow entangled in their conceptions, their insights and meanderings, as if we were characters”. Thus, The Matrix gives an opportunity to live through all moments along with movie characters. It triggers the idea that the philosophical interpretation of dependence on technological advancements may lead to unexpected outcomes. Humans consider themselves as the most developed creatures on a planet but The Matrix shows that human intelligence may have far-reaching consequences.
The Matrix does create a new philosophy. The Matrix presents a new philosophy based on a new explanation of human existence. The Matrix shows the probably future of people as they become more and more dependent on computers. The governments of developed countries invest a lot of funds into research and development of diverse technological innovations. Scientists try to create new types of robots able of thinking. The Matrix shows that artificial intelligence is no longer a myth and people should reconsider their reliance on computers and focus on their own intelligence development. The Matrix is a summary of human fear of the possible power of artificial intelligence over lives of people. Computers are already having control over lives of people and this control creates fear about the future.
Many philosophers tried to give answers to questions regarding origin of life, death, meaning or essence of human existence. Most people strive to define their own meaning of life. An average person does think about the purpose of his or her living. Such concerns are philosophical and do not have right or wrong answers. Ironically, The Matrix shows that the reverse side of our modern lives: people do not have real lives as they cannot live outside the boundaries of technology-based world. For example, a successful businessman may think that he was born to become rich and that his purpose in life is to earn as much money as the can. A priest may believe that the purpose of his life is to educate people about religion. A mother of ten children may be confident that the meaning of her life is confined to being a good mother. The Matrix does not provide specific answers to philosophical quests but it makes people think about their own lives.
In conclusion, The Matrix presents a new philosophy as well as probably future. Dependence on technologies and continuous technological advancements create concerns about the power technology has over human lives. The philosophy of The Matrix differs from the old ones because only twenty years there was no dependence on technologies and there was no fear that computers may become more intelligent than humans. The Matrix is a mythical story but it may have a reflection on future co-existence of computers with artificial intelligence and humans. The Matrix makes people reconsider their lives and reduce dependence on technologies. The new reality is very probably as more and more computers are introduced into daily life of an average person.
Works Cited
Jenkins, Henry. Convergence Culture. New York University Press, 2006.
The Matrix (BFI Modern Classics): An Exclusive Excerpt. Web.