The Matrix conveys the horror of a false world made of nothing but perceptions. Based on the premise that reality is a dream controlled by malevolent forces, it is one of the most overtly philosophical movies ever to come out of Hollywood. These thought-provoking essays by the same team of young philosophers who created The Simpsons and Philosophy discuss different facets of the primary philosophical puzzle of The Matrix: Can we be sure the world is really there, and if not, what should we do about it? Other chapters address issues of religion, lifestyle, pop culture, the Zeitgeist, the nature of mind and matter, and the reality of fiction.
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"Loved reading this book, as it gives you great insight into the entire concept of the Matrix. Based more on the philosophical concepts and how they could be applied to life as we know it. It is not an easy book to read (Just as with all Philosophy), and you have to read it slowly to digest it all. But if you've got extra time on your hands and want to take a trip "down the rabbit hole" then give it a shot."
— Christine (4 out of 5 stars)
" deep pholosogy kind of reading but requires a junk of stamina to finish it, may need to read it again to get it sink in "
— Mohammed, 12/14/2013" Very interesting, it got me interested in philosophy (it was the first philosophy book I ever read), but I found the essays a bit dry originally and could only really get into it the second time around. This could be due to the difference in my age between the first and second reads, as well. "
— Andie, 9/13/2013" At least helped me to get one chgk question... "
— Muslim, 9/11/2013" It was interesting at first, but quickly became repetitive. Ultimately its just a movie...the first was fantastic and the other two not so much. Philosophy was discarded for special effects. "
— Spectator4, 8/21/2013" I liked it - except for the chapter by the "feminist" philosopher - she seemed to have issues. "
— Dana, 7/9/2013" Great book. Good break from more intense philosophy books. "
— Lendyll, 5/25/2013" The sub-meanings goes straight back to Socrates... a fall down the rabbit hole. "
— Shelley, 4/7/2013" I devoured this book.. Watched the documentary on the Matrix and sat down with this book. It blew my mind.. as an eager philosophy student in college, this was just icing on top. But I also recommend it to anyone who loves The matrix, and wants a better understanding of the themes used. "
— Neomi, 10/14/2012" The first few essays seemed a little too elementary but the latter ones discussed some interesting ideas I had not considered. I wonder what these authors would say about their topics after having seen the entire trilogy? "
— Travis, 6/3/2012" Mostly interesting, except for the last four essays. "
— Maxwell, 11/17/2011" Interesting, but I was hoping for some more depth. "
— j, 6/27/2011" Wonderful if you are a Matrix and Philosophy geek. "
— John, 5/28/2011" This book had a few excellent chapters--I particularly enjoyed the Buddhist, Christian, and feminist readings of the film. However, as a whole I wasn't entirely impressed. I also thought that the book would delve into all three films, but it only covers the original movie. "
— Kerri, 4/20/2011" From a series on pop culture and philosophy. Although I think I learned more about the symbolism in the Matrix than I did about philosophy in this book. "
— Andrew, 4/9/2011" The best in this popular genre "
— manwithoutqualities, 12/26/2010" deep pholosogy kind of reading but requires a junk of stamina to finish it, may need to read it again to get it sink in "
— Mohammed, 9/12/2010" The sub-meanings goes straight back to Socrates... a fall down the rabbit hole. "
— Shelley, 8/22/2010" Great book. Good break from more intense philosophy books. "
— Lendyll, 7/21/2010" Mostly interesting, except for the last four essays. "
— Maxwell, 2/15/2010Oliver Wyman is an actor and award-winning audiobook narrator. He has won five Audie Awards from the Audio Publisher’s Association, fourteen Earphone Awards, and two Listen Up Awards from Publisher’s Weekly. He was named a 2008 Best Voice in Nonfiction & Culture by AudioFile magazine. He has appeared on stage as well as in film and television, and he is a veteran voice actor who can be heard in numerous cartoons and video games. He is one of the founders of New York City’s Collective Unconscious theater, and his performances include the award-winning “reality play” Charlie Victor Romeo and A. R. McElhinney’s cult classic film A Chronicle of Corpses.
Jennifer Jay Myers is an award-winning voice-over artist. She graduated from Northwestern University where she studied singing and acting and then moved to New York to pursue musical theater. Myers has appeared in many shows including Nunsense, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Godspell, Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?, and Fiddler on the Roof, among others. When she’s not working, she volunteers with animal rescue. She and her husband, writer Chris Grabenstein, share their home with four wonderful rescued animals (three cats and a dog).