Tron and The Matrix to become our reality?
Imagine a world in which technology reaches a point where it can think on its very own. It can solve problems and issues without anyone having to tell it to. Sounds amazing right? Well according to hit movies like Tron (1982) and The Matrix (1999), the rapid evolution of technology and what it could be capable of can be terrifying. With the rise of the personal computer in the 70s, the arcade boom of the 80s, and the freedom of the internet and World Wide Web in the 90s, it seemed as though technology could be the answer to all our problems. However, these films proposed a new thought. What if instead of man creating and controlling technology, technology began to control us? Although Tron and the matrix contain many differences, they also share many resemblances as well. Some important topics in these films include the thought of certain technology becoming a reality, concerns with these technologies, and other big or life changing ideas presented throughout the 80s and 90s.
Virtual Reality or Actual Reality?
In the 70s, 80s, and maybe the 90s, virtual reality seemed like a long shot. Back when Tron was created, viewers of the film and fans of arcade games imagined how amazing it would be to be playing games in person instead of playing with a joystick and buttons on some machine. But now that fantasy is actually becoming reality.
Companies like Sony, Microsoft and Oculus have created what are known as the early stages of virtual reality. Recently they’ve released headsets to visually take you to this “new” world. Eventually, there will be full body suits to fully immerse you into this virtual world. However, As amazing as this sounds, eventually we could get to the point where we can’t tell the difference between reality and fantasy. Just like The Matrix, maybe we’ll think the virtual world is real life or maybe there will be those who would much rather be in the simulation instead.
Artificial Intelligence (The Good, The Bad and The Dangerous)
The thought that humans and machines can think alike can be an amazing, yet frightening concept. The human race consists of many good and bad people. And the A.I. portrayed in these film react the same way. The good A.I. in these films become good companions and help serve the human protagonist. Just like how Tron helped Flynn and how The Oracle helped Neo find his path to becoming the one. On the other hand, the bad A.I. tried to destroy or control the protagonist’s, like how the red programs served The Master Control Program in Tron or how the agents maintained and safeguarded The Matrix for the machines.
We’ve only dabbled on the creation of artificial intelligence. Although we have programs like Siri and Cortana which is closest thing we have to A.I. in mainstream society, they are nowhere near as advanced as the ones in Tron and The Matrix. We do need to keep into consideration the potential dangers of artificial intelligence to prevent the possibilities presented in these films. Time will tell whether or not artificial intelligence will be our friend or enemy.
Protagonist to set everyone free
In these virtual worlds many programs and even humans are being oppressed and constricted by a higher power. Until, one day the hero comes in to set everyone free. In Tron, Flynn along with others tries to remove ENCOM’s Master Control Program and to overthrow a corrupt boss from their company. In The Matrix, Neo must be the one to stop the agents and free mankind from the control of the machines.
Both films dwell on the idea of being freed outside of some kind of boundaries. This relates to when it was debated whether video games, the internet and the World Wide Web should be constricted inside certain boundaries or whether it should be free for anyone to experiment with. Though this is nowhere near as dramatic as machines taking over, the ideas share similar points.
Tron and The Matrix not only serves as entertaining films, but also makes us consider the future and what it may have in store for us. The closer we head into the future the closer we get to possibly replicating the technology presented in these films. I for one am up for the development and experimentation for new technology, but am also cautious of the possibility that technology could one day rule us.
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