WOAH! THERE’S A GLITCH IN THE MATRIX

A Glitch In the Matrix tests the plausibility of the theory of simulation

Director Rodney Ascher has two intriguing documentaries under his belt. Both Room 237 and The Nightmare caught the attention of his cult following. The taboo theories that surface in both films made for compelling conversations. His new installment A Glitch in the Matrix has the film circuit and audiences buzzing about the simulation theory. Intensely discussed by Elon Musk on the Joe Rogan Experience, people wonder if it is taking place. The theory is put to the test in this documentary.

Philip K. Dick

Famous science-fiction author Philip K. Dick inadvertently hosts the film. In France of 1977, he speaks to the simulation taking place while he introduces each chapter in the film. Through his discussions with experts and references in his books, Philip K. Dick sensed that technology will grow exponentially to take hold of humanity. This is where religion and science come together showing a reality that humanity wishes to exist in. A parallel world was brought on by sodium pentothal when Dick’s wisdom teeth were getting extracted. He called this experience “2-3-74” which was a recovered memory that looked like a scene from Blade Runner. To the man whose life was science-fiction, Philip K. Dick was convinced that living in a simulation is not out of the question.

The Matrix

In The Matrix, Trinity says “there is a glitch in the Matrix.” whenever Neo has deja vu. It’s evidence that they are living in a simulation and the real world is not as solid as it seems. The black cat that appears twice to Neo in an exact manner causes Neo to feel that there is underlying power that is coding this experience.

There is the support of other films that were based on Philip K. Dick’s books like Total Recall and Minority Report where alternate realities exists. It refers back to Dick’s premonitions of a police fascist state where privacy is taken away because of the rise of AI. These mentions make it plausible that we live in the simulation where glitches in the matrix do happen.

The Avatars

Director Rodney Ascher interviews several first responders to the simulation theory. Through futuristic animal-like avatars, they remain somewhat anonymous. Sharing their experiences and building theories upon them leads to the truancy of the simulation theory. Going to church or diving into a sensory deprivation tank has these responders convinced that they are living a simulation.

Furthermore, the responders speak to their video game experiences like Guitar Hero or Minecraft. Some feel that there is some form of reality that exists within the game. Or a feeling like they are in a game by playing it continuously. The audience may find it difficult to relate to gamers because of their countless hours on this medium. Although, their representation is a major part of our post-millennial society. But don’t we all spend countless hours on social media?

When the gamers enter the digital world as something different from their real selves, it validates the simulation theory. They exist with more power physically and mentally that it contributes to a higher power in artificial intelligence. To them, real-life has too much pain and struggle wherein the digital world they can afflict that.

Joshua Cooke:

It begs questions if these avatar interviewees are able to distinguish reality from the digital world. That was not the case for Joshua Cooke who became extremely obsessed with the film The Matrix. He puts the film on repeat in his bedroom. He also wears the black trenchcoat thinking he is the character of Neo. One snowy Monday night in February of 2003, he killed both of his parents with a shotgun. He was thinking that he was living in a simulation or more or less a video game.

Joshua didn’t understand the consequences of his actions. He tells director Rodney Ascher from jail where he is serving a 40-year sentence the whole story. The audience learns about this horrible night in detail through a first-person shooter framework. It gives you chills to see Joshua Cooke reprising or imitating the soul of Neo. When he calls the police to confess the murder, Joshua Cooke had no idea what he had done. In the courts, this became known as the “Matrix defence”. Ascher tells Yahoo Entertainment that

The Matrix Defence

“Early on in my research about simulation theory, I came across the idea of the Matrix defense, and the fact that more than one person has used the idea that they were living in a virtual world as an insanity defense.  I think the notion is that if you don’t understand the consequences of your actions, then you’re not criminally liable. And if you already think that you’re not living in the real world, that’s a fairly substantial argument along those lines.”

It’s reasonable to think that we are living in a simulation and that a higher being or group is controlling our actions.  This makes the conversations over the water cooler spicier because we do not have control of our destiny.  For those like Joshua Cooke, they feel that there are in full control and do not see consequences to their actions.  We cannot just die and come back to life like Neo.  But those who believe in the simulation theory see no end.  Their digital world becomes real and hard to distinguish from reality.

Director Rodney Ascher does question this confusion and who becomes accountable for it.  We now live in a world where technology is king and where all of our behaviour is measured.  It puts us all in a vulnerable spot. For instance, the data that we build throughout our lives is sought out because it makes the economy of the digital world run.  Now there is no way of turning back. 

You can live on the grid or you can live away from it.  But most people do live on it which is the new hunter-gatherer society of our times.  It is not keeping up with the Joneses.  Rather it is keeping up with The Matrix.  To put it bluntly, this is what everyone is doing.  Everyone is “jumping off the bridge” but unfortunately, not everyone is going to survive.   Especially when it comes to facing reality.  

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