Philosophy snobs and action lovers miss the point

Rating: Null/10 (21 May 2003)

Sure this movie has great special effects, but for me those are secondary. What really stands out is what this movie says about our technologically reliant society (along with Nietszche's concept of the Overman).
Scientists say Homo Sapiens reached their present form around 45,000 years ago. For about 44,430 of those years humans have lived pretty much as they were meant to according to what nature had provided. They could frolic in the nude after some great sex in an open green pasture, kill a deer or fish for food without a license, create a hut that didn't adhere to modern building codes, use objects without brand names, etc.
Now, in America especially, we hear about how we need our wisdom teeth taken out or braces added so some dentist can make some money; or how we need some drug Pfizer makes because we're psychologically lacking; or how we need to go to church because we might go to hell; or how we need to buy an overpriced pair of jeans made using child labor in Chile so our significant other will like us a little more; or how we might die of food poisoning if we don't eat a package of bologna after a certain date.
Basically what I'm trying to say is we live in an artificial socially constructed reality that many people overlook. Americans today tend to ignore the fact that humans have had wisdom teeth for tens of thousands of years, whereas Nike and Pfizer (or what have you) have only been around for 40 or so. Why then is it so necessary for our health to have a prescription for two antidepressants and a $120 pair of Air Jordans. And why even waste your time going to church? Nobody likes church anyway. Hell (at least I hope) is another human concept (and it's probably the most cruel).
This socially constructed, corporate-driven reality is the Matrix. It keeps those who adhere to it weak because they are at its mercy. Think about how easier life would be if one didn't have to spend a large wad of cash on overpriced clothing and other items of luxury -- he or she wouldn't have to work nearly as much (and, in turn, they wouldn't buy nearly as much). They would no longer be slaves to the system. It would be chaos. The US economic system would collapse. Very scary -- but then again so what. This Matrix has not been around too long.
Imagine the weight that would be lifted from a typical god-fearing Christian if he or she one day realized that the Christian God is a concept created by those in power to keep the masses down so those with power and money could keep their positions without fear of insurrection. People are easier to exploit when they believe they'll have a happy life in the clouds after this disappointing one on Earth is over.
Also, since I'm talking about Christians, imagine how nice it would be if Christians could wear condoms or use birth control and enjoy sex as mere fornication. There would be less people in this country, thus less spending capital, which of course, according to corporations, would be bad. As long as we keep spitting out kids who will be consumers, there's nothing wrong with raping this planet, I guess.
But (this is where Nietszche comes in) the Overman (the ultimate Nihlist) realizes the only reality is the one we create. Nihlism is defined as a state in which traditional symbols lose their traditional meanings. As a result, one is free to do whatever one wishes (let us hope he or she chooses to do good - but even so, more evil probably comes about from the Matrix than from millions of people living life the way they want to).
Because the Overman (or woman) sees through the Matrix (which kills the human spirit) and is thus free from any constraints he is able to create meaning for himself in this world. And, hopefully, if he's like Neo he'll work for good and do his best to enlighten others.
And, as far as the philosophy snobs go, I'm glad a mainstream philosophical movie came out that's accessible to the masses. The world can never be changed for the better by them merely preaching to Kerouac wannabees in trendy coffeeshops who already agree with you. You need to talk to people who eat too many cheeseburgers and drink Bud Light if you truly want to enlighten. You must free the people in the pods of the human-manufacturing fields - the people who are imprisoned in the Matrix.