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In reply to the discussion: Taibbi: Everything Is Rigged: The Biggest Price-Fixing Scandal Ever (WOW!) [View all]Newest Reality
(12,712 posts)You bet. The Matrix was an interesting and philosophical adventure.
The ideas in the film come from many sources, so it is rather eclectic, (Plato's Cave, etc.) but one of the influences was Jean Baudrillard. When asked about how he felt that a movie had been made that was inspired by his philosophy, he said, "The Matrix is a movie that The Matrix would make about itself."
You might recall a book called Simulacra and Simulation, that Neo opens to get some contraband. It is hollow on one side and on the other is the chapter: On Nihilism.
This sums it up nicely and gives you a taste of Baudrillard's philosophy. While you can find the book online, it is not an easy ready.
This does sum it up nicely though as per the Simulation we live in and the nature of the hyperreal, or what is more real than real. Think advertising, media, etc.
http://matrix.wikia.com/wiki/Simulacra_and_Simulation
Baurdrillard's insights are profound in their own right and he is in the arena of Marshal Mcluen and others concerning his views of media, et al.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Baudrillard
Welcome to the desert of the real!
Enjoy!