In this blog post, we will explore the meaning of virtual and reality, free will, and true life through the movie “The Matrix.”
The world view of the movie “The Matrix” is really interesting. The movie begins with the idea of what would happen if we created an artificial intelligence (AI) that would operate creatively on its own instead of a computer program that only performs the operations that have been programmed into it. The movie is set in a future where a machine civilization has developed, fought a war against humanity, and taken over the Earth, and where machines eventually control humans. In virtual reality, humans live in a world made up of only signal stimuli, not knowing what is real. While you were living oblivious to reality, Morpheus comes to you and offers you the red pill (reality) and the blue pill (virtual reality). Which would you choose?
Before you make your choice, I think you need to make some assumptions. You don’t know what the real world will be like before you take the red pill, and it’s not necessarily like the reality in the Matrix. In the Matrix, the reality itself is that a machine civilization controls humans as energy sources, and unbound humans are waging a dark war against machines starting from the city of Zion. If you know that the only reality is a world dominated by machines and humans are running away from machines, would anyone take the red pill and return to that world? I think that, apart from a few people like Neo who are chosen and have a burning sense of duty, most people would rather not take such a risk and settle for the sensations created in the virtual world like Cipher. Therefore, it must be assumed that the real world after taking the red pill is something unknown before taking it.
If I had to make such an unavoidable choice, I would take the red pill and escape the virtual world to come out into the “real” world. A virtual world is a world that is literally created virtually. Whether it is created by humans or by machines that dominate the world, it is a world that has been created. It is an arbitrary space where developers have created a world that is arbitrarily similar to or completely different from reality, which they cannot do in the real world. Staying in that world is like dreaming without ever waking up. In virtual reality like the world of The Matrix, my body and mind are controlled by external factors, not by my own will, in the midst of sweet stimulation, without knowing the truth. It is a sensation transformed into electrical signals like brain waves.
I think the reason why humans were able to differentiate themselves from other animals and plants and form a human race is because humans have free will and a creative mindset. I think that civilization is created through the continuous progress of each individual’s unique mindset, choices, and decisions. We think freely every hour and give orders and perform actions according to our own will. This is the reason why humans exist in the real world. However, virtual reality does not have such free will. The thoughts and senses of each individual human being connected to virtual reality are controlled, and their actions are determined by algorithms that have already been coded. Even if they perceive that they are thinking and acting as they wish in the virtual world, that perception itself has already been controlled many times by external factors (control programs in the virtual world). If they only exist in this virtual reality, can they really be called human? Agent Smith in the movie also directly describes the world of the Matrix as a zoo. What would we call the virtual world users who live in such a zoo? Can they really be called human?
I believe that there is no such thing as a complete virtual reality. Perfect control is not achieved due to unexpected and sudden variables, and there is always a need for a watcher to keep an eye on them, as we do not know when and where they will occur. And those watchers remove the factors that cause trouble in order to maintain the systematic system of the virtual world. Agent Smith in the world of The Matrix moves freely from one entity to another in the virtual world. Let’s think about a person who has been brought into Smith’s body because of a sudden change. This person is a typical person who wants to take the blue pill and enjoy life in the virtual world. In a controlled system, this person will live in the virtual reality, taking their life for granted. However, they will sacrifice themselves to maintain the overall system, regardless of their own will. And that’s without even considering the sacrifice that they themselves have to make. And we can also confirm from Agent Smith’s mouth that there is no such thing as a perfect virtual world. The first attempt at the Matrix world was designed to be a world where all humans could live happily without suffering. But the virtual world program was not accepted, and all the humans who participated in the virtual world died. This suggests that the world cannot exist if only pleasure is given to humans. Therefore, the reconstructed virtual world will have added negative emotions such as pain and sadness along with pleasure. It is not a world where only joy and pleasure are given. It is similar to reality.
Another aspect of the impact of virtual reality on our lives should be considered. For example, as virtual reality technology advances, it can bring about innovative changes in various fields such as education, treatment, and training. Just as modern aircraft driving simulations allow pilots to practice flying indirectly in a situation similar to the real thing, virtual reality can improve people’s abilities by providing experiences that are difficult to come by in real life. However, it is important to keep in mind that virtual reality cannot replace reality. Virtual reality is only a supplementary tool and cannot completely replace human existence and experience.
Some may think that by experiencing virtual reality, they can receive new stimuli and enjoy them that they cannot experience in reality. However, this statement requires a premise: the premise that you can return to reality. It is a good idea to recommend and encourage experiences that can only be had in a virtual world by comparing it to the real world. For example, modern aircraft driving simulations allow pilots to practice flying indirectly in a situation similar to a real-life situation. However, the story is different when you live in that virtual world and live there without even realizing that you are living in a virtual world. What is the point of such an indirect experience in a virtual reality? What is the point of living in a world of incomplete information that you can’t be sure is true or not? Trying to live in a world where there is no guarantee that you will be happy and entertained in a system that is divorced from reality is just a foolish escape.
I believe that human life is the essence itself. The essence is not a common phenomenon that can be seen with the naked eye, but its inherent nature that does not change. Living in the world of the Matrix, ignoring and forgetting the human reality that lies beyond it, and choosing the virtual reality created by sensory perception given by electrical signals is to abandon the reality that is the foundation of my existence. Therefore, choosing the virtual world at the moment of choice is to give up the very existence that creates and expresses the ‘me’ of today.
The question of choosing between virtual reality and real reality may be perceived differently depending on the circumstances of the person who is asked the question. The choice will vary depending on the environment. If you are satisfied with your current life, even if it is in a virtual reality, you will be given the perception that your life is sufficient by the program, and you will be inclined to settle for your current life. If you are dissatisfied, you will be more likely to choose a different life. Tragically, it is like committing suicide. Even if you commit suicide, you are not guaranteed to get another life. The important point here is whether or not you know at the time whether or not there is an essence of the real world that is clearly distinguished from virtual reality. If you know that essence, your choice should be consistent with my argument above.
