Walking in the Valley A weekly column for those who live and walk in Silicon Valley by Barbara Dahlgren

Matrix Mania Column for the week of May 18-24, 2003

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What do you think the definition of “matrix” is? What does it mean?

1. The womb
2. That within and from which something originates, takes form
3. Nonliving, intercellular substance in which living cells are embedded
4. In electronics, a process in which several signals are combined for transmission
5. In geology, earthly material in which something is embedded
6. In math, a set of numbers or terms arranged in rows and columns between parentheses or double lines
7. A blockbuster movie

Actually the answer is all of the above. Matrix is an interesting word. It’s even found in the King James Version of the Bible but I won’t tell you where or what it means. Those who are curious can look it up. I will give you a hint, though. How it is used in the Bible has nothing to do with electronics.

The Matrix was indeed a blockbuster movie but The Matrix Reloaded or just Reloaded for those in the know, released in theaters everywhere this week will easily surpass it. In another month you can see it at IMAX theaters, too. Those Wachowski brothers (writers and directors of the films) have happened on to something. When Matrix Revolutions appears later this year to complete the trilogy, watch out! Who knows? There might even be a Matrix 4. The R rating doesn’t seem to hold anyone back because the appeal to teens and twenty to thirty somethings is unparalleled.

The story line of the Matrix 1 has Thomas Anderson (Keanu Reeves) leading a semi double life. During the day he works as a software engineer, by night he is a hacker dubbed Neo, hacking to find info and sell it. His main quest though is to find out about the Matrix. He finds a character named Morpheus who takes him on a journey and rebirth into truth, which is not all that pleasant. Then Neo experiences training, action, and revelation to find out if he is “The One.” There is a ship named Nebuchadnezzar, remnants of human civilization called Zion, the Matrix, an Oracle, a prophecy, and evil agents.

Now we have Matrix Reloaded. Neo is still searching for his destiny as he leaps and flies through the air, merges in and out of suspended animation, and waxes eloquent in dialogue. We are hoping he finds out what it all means as he and Morpheus engage in action sequences and philosophies designed to keep us guessing, wondering, and hanging on for Matrix Revolutions, the next installment.

Which leaves us to ask, why is this Matrix stuff so popular? There is definitely a Matrix Mania going on. Perhaps it is timing. Lawrence Fishburne’s character, Morpheus, describes the Matrix as “a neural-interactive simulation,” a phrase no one could have even remotely identified with a few years ago, much less understood. But with the technology available today, it almost makes since. We do live in a society that gives the illusion of freedom but we are some what enslaved by the technology available to us. It does leave one thinking about where it could all lead.

Maybe the appeal is Neo’s search for deeper meaning to life. I find all the Biblical references interesting. Prophesies of “The One,” Zion, Nebuchadnezzar, oracles, apocalyptic overtones, good versus evil. Teens and twenty to thirty somethings are themselves in a quest for finding meaning to life, although they would not phrase it that way. When Neo asks, “What is the Matrix?” the answer is, "The Matrix is everywhere...It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth." And when Neo is curious about what truth he’s referring to, “That you're a slave Neo. Like everyone else, you were born into bondage, kept inside a prison that you cannot smell, taste, or touch. A prison for your mind." People are similarly imprisoned today and searching for meaning to life. They will only find it by turning to God but let that remain our little secret. They wouldn’t believe it anyway.

Then again maybe it’s so popular because the movie has a certain style. You can ask, “What does it all really mean?” and then conclude, “Who cares?” as you get engrossed in the special effects of Hollywood. Maybe the Wachowskis just know how to market their target audience. The teens and twenty to thirty somethings fuel our economy. And they are buying what the Matrix sells. Let’s face it; we all like a good kick butt, action flick even if we don’t know what it all means.

©May 2003

Be sure to visit this page every week to read the next edition of Walking in the Valley. You can write to the author at bdahlgren@wcgsouthbay.org.