Posted by Matrix is one of the most famous science fiction films ever. This tragic activity film changed how we contemplate the future, innovation, and the undeniably obscured lines between the genuine and virtual universes.
In this blockbuster from 1999, intelligent machines have won the war against humans, who pay the ultimate price. Their bodies are enslaved for their energy while their minds are occupied within the Matrix, a simulated reality designed to make them believe everything is as it always was.
The Matrix raises a thought-provoking question: would you rather stay in the comfort of an artificial world or face the harsh truths of an unknown reality?
As a result of recent technological developments, this may be a question humanity is forced to answer sooner rather than later. Many experts have warned about the dangers posed by artificial intelligence, and the popularization of blockchain, NFTs and the metaverse add fuel to the debate. Will these technologies help us better our lives? Or are they guiding us towards a darker, more Matrix-esque world, wherein we spend more and more time in a virtual space we can’t escape?
Our evil overlords aren’t running the show just yet. However, our increased dependence on technology for working, living, and connecting with others does raise important questions about how much time is ‘too much’ to spend in a virtual world and what risks and dangers are associated with virtual reality and technology.
Looking through the lens of three of the most high-profile tech concepts in recent years – NFTs, blockchain, and the metaverse – here’s what we need to consider.