1. The Matrix

                This is the first movie I thought of when I thought of posthuman and film. Yes, there were ones that were before it, but from a historical perspective I feel like this is the movie that opened the floodgates to movies that deal with posthuman related topics.

                One of the most famous scenes from the movie deals with multiple important topics (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zE7PKRjrid4).  Morpheus explains to Neo that the Matrix is everywhere. He calls it “The world that has been pulled over your eyes that blinds you from the truth.” This shows that society has lost their individualism as their blindly going about, ignorant to what is really going on. As we later discover this is because almost all of society is plugged in to the Matrix.

                Being plugged into the Matrix has both physical and metaphorical representations. Physically it is possible to see that one day we may be actually plugged into a computer. In the film’s case it’s to create an alternate reality, which is plausible in today’s world. It can also be taken as a metaphor that we are already plugged in. No, we’re not physically attached to machines that connect to our mind, but our use of technology has redefined the term “plugged in.” Today plugged in more has to do with wall outlets. People can’t go long without something that is plugged in. I’m writing on my laptop which must always be plugged in because its battery needs replaced. Next to me is my cell phone which is plugged in to the other outlet because it’s so old its battery can’t hold a charge either. Basically I use my cell phone and computer (which are almost always plugged in somewhere) so much that it’s almost as if I’m plugged in.

                Later on in that same scene Morpheus offers Neo a choice. He can take the red pill and unplug and discover the truth about the Matrix. Or he can take the blue pill and go back to his reality in the Matrix and remember none of this. This brings up the concepts of different realities and your choices of them. Neo is forced to decide should he go back to the real world or stay inside this artificially created reality. The concept of multiple realities is a big deal and in my opinion a scary thought. People can see it as an escape. It’s a way to live another life different, if not better than the one they have. I view this as humanity throwing in the towel though. Each of us was put here for a reason and the lives we have, have purposes. By losing yourself in another reality it’s an admission of giving up on that purpose. It’s like you’re taking the easy way out by living this artificial life instead of taking the hard way of making your life better. I think this is part of the reason that Neo takes the red pill. He doesn’t want to go back to a fake life. He wants to know what his real life is like.

                In the end what makes the difference is being conscious of these separate realities. Once Neo knows the Matrix is a separate reality his demeanor towards everything changes. It affects how he is inside of the Matrix. Now he’s just a download away from being able to do whatever he wants, like learn kung fu (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4yuhvccQog).  Its Neo’s ability to control the Matrix, rather than let it control him that ends up saving everyone. Once he realizes that he’s in control he becomes a lot stronger (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMx-Az5Da4M).  This shows that to keep our humanity we mustn’t let our lives be dominated by machines. We need to control our lives and the machines, not let our use of them control our lives.

Works Cited

movieclips. "Blue Pill or Red Pill - The Matrix (2/9) Movie CLIP (1999) HD" Online video clip.YouTube. YouTube, 26 May 2011.

movieclips. "Virtual Combat - The Matrix (4/9) Movie CLIP (1999) HD" Online video clip.YouTube. YouTube, 26 May 2011.

movieclips. "The Matrix (8/9) Movie CLIP - Subway Fight (1999) HD" Online video clip.YouTube. YouTube, 26 May 2011.

Wachowski, Andy, and Lana Wachowski, dir. The Matrix. CD-ROM.