Welcome to the Matrix

In the Matrix, the big shocker is when we find out that humans are being used as batteries. And to some extent, the analogy exists in our society.

In business, people generally are responsible for continued generation of capital products for business.  And as consumers, we pay for that production with the result of our production.

Nothing evil about that in the abstract. In the Matrix, the issue is people are enslaved to the system, unable to see the real life they are living for the one that is being fed to them.

This is where the analogy starts feeling a little to real and you start thinking about stuff like, well, free will and “why am I here”.

The poor are absolutely enslaved as are most of the rest, even the 1% - everyone has to do stuff to generate or consume or in many situations both. Could go deep down that Rabbit hole, however, let’s stay here for a moment.

Let’s realize that this is how capitalism works and why we put regulation around it so it impacts more people reasonably. The better and more compressive the regulation, the better we cover those who don’t or cannot produce as much. In regulations we set baselines for quality of life, at least in regards to important things… how much necessities cost, how we educate, so that kids can generate revenue, and contribute and enjoy into adulthood, how we pay for research and healthcare, the quality of food and medicine, safety in life and workplace, access to technology and so on.

It’s regulation that is frequently seen by business as infringing on their ability to make money, however some have embraced the novel idea of doing both - that is helping society and making a profit.

Regulation keeps Nestle from owning all the water supplies. Regulation keeps big Oil from being the only source of energy - it prevent monopolies and closed markets. Because in closed markets, we really are just batteries and not human beings.

As humans we need education, art, music, debate and love. In order to get to these things, we need safety - food, shelter and some physical things that mean we stay alive. That’s well documented in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

The real tragedy in the Matrix is it’s a closed market. Everything’s a simulation by a few for others to live in. The current leadership thinks of us as batteries. They are removing regulation to make it easier to close markets, to become monopolies of both consumerism and power.

You can take the red pill or the blue pill. The red pill is voting and active consumerism. The blue pill is doing nothing.

“You take the blue pill—the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill—you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes. Remember: all I'm offering is the truth. Nothing more.” - Morpheus (from The Matrix).

Vote and consume from companies that work to be socially responsible. Renewable  energy. Progressive candidates that support open markets with regulation rather than closed markets. Healthcare for all. Food and shelter and education for all. It’s not a pretty reality right now, but this is our way to actual free will, actual freedom. It’s not through nationalism, closed borders, coal fired electricity and gasoline only cars. It’s not through privately owned water. We’re not just batteries, are we?