The Justice

I used to have nothing against The Matrix. The movie, that is, not the alternate universe. I think I would have a problem with living in a fake world while my body was being harvested for power. Or would I? Would I rather eat pretend steaks that taste real or submit myself to the gruel that comes along with knowing the truth that technology has overpowered humans?

That's not the point. The point is that before Brandeis, The Matrix played a minor role in my life, occasionally coming on TV, capturing my attention for a few minutes. The first time I saw it, I admit, I was intrigued by the bullet-dodging scene and mystified by the spoon babies. Then I came to Brandeis, and I found Keanu Reeves' existential predicament appearing on my syllabi more than once.

Don't get me wrong, I understand how The Matrix can be used in the academic setting. But is it honestly the only film that demonstrates the same kind of philosophical dilemma? Are there no interesting books that do the same? In my four years at Brandeis, I will have had to watch that blasted movie in four classes. Four! And those are just the times I remember. During my first year at Brandeis I watched it in a visual culture class. Fine, whatever. Sophomore year it was for an English class called "Cyber Theory," where the movie had its place as well. Junior year I took "Intro to Philosophy," where it popped up yet again. And this semester, my final hurrah at Brandeis, is capped off by watching it again in my "Studies in Pop Culture" class. Now, I understand that each class looks at the film in varying ways, which could potentially be engaging and eye-opening. However, after having to watch it so frequently, the movie starts to lose what little charm it had fairly quickly. I remember thinking it was a pretty neat movie the first time I saw it, but after the fourth time I started to see through the captivating concept and notice the terrible acting and cheesy dialogue. Once I was no longer confused, I saw Keanu for the thespian he really is.

I understand the premise of the movie just fine: Would you rather live a life where everything is fine and dandy but fake, or would you prefer to know the truth, that your seemingly perfect life is simply a fabricated, virtual reality world? As philosopher John Stuart Mill put it, would you rather be a satisfied pig or a miserable Socrates? I hate to say it, but no number of viewings of The Matrix will help me come to an answer. Why can't we spice things up with some Phillip K. Dick books or their subsequent movies, or for pop culture's sake put on The Truman Show for once? Doesn't that movie have the same premise, but sans Keanu's creepy voice and static facial expressions? How many times can you watch him prance around in a black trench coat and chic sunglasses? And more importantly, how did those sunglasses without the arms stay clipped onto Laurence Fishburne's nose?

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