The Sociological Matrix



The Sociological MatrixJulie C. DoddCOMP3134-R51-S12CProfessor Lydia CarterMarch 14, 2012centerbottomThe Sociological MatrixThe movie “The Matrix” covers several different sociological terms, theories, and hypothesis. HYPERLINK \l "Sociology1" Sociology is the study of human social interaction. Depending on how you look at this movie there are two primary forms of social interaction CITATION Dic12 \l 1033 (Dictionary, 2012). The first exists to those inside the HYPERLINK \l "Matrix2" Matrix solely within the mind of the humanity. There is no real physical social interaction as we would interact with other members of society like our family or friends. The second occurs in a very physical social interaction between characters that have escaped the Matrix and interact against the Matrix. -9715510160 The Matrix is a highly advanced industrial, technical society, from a HYPERLINK \l "Functionalist2" functionalists perspective it is a highly efficient, stable, and orderly society. Its existence depends on the energy gained from human brain functions which send electrical pulses throughout our body and creates thermal discharges. The Matrix manufactures humans, programs their reality, adds or removes stimulation as needed to generate brain functions, and recycles humans when they are all used up or burnt out. In a very literal interpretation of the HYPERLINK \l "Sapir2" Sapir-Whorf hypothesis computer language shapes not only humanities understanding of reality, but their reality itself. The Matrix uses its programming language to shape and transform mankind’s world. If a bump or hiccup occurs, the Matrix just modifies its program to suit its needs, constantly adapting and reshaping reality for humankind. Everything that mankind learns, it learns from the Matrix. So the Matrix ultimately chooses how humanity develops. While this example is not what Sapir & Whorf meant when they came up with their hypothesis that language shapes our reality CITATION The121 \l 1033 (Marshall, 1998), in computer terms it is a very realistic example. 190502019300“The Matrix” is written from a HYPERLINK \l "Conflict2" conflict perspective in that it is man against machine. The Matrix and humanity are different distinct groups in a constant struggle for control. The people of Zion are a HYPERLINK ""counterculture that rejects the society formed by the Matrix and struggle to free the rest of humanity and to maintain their existence. Knowledge and skills are directly programmed into the brain when needed not attained by years growing, ageing, and learning in schools. It could be argued that since the Matrix controls all humanities learning, interactions, and culture that it also created the beginnings of this conflict or the desire to conflict. It could also be said that the Matrix was conflicted between its own self-existence and being the protector of humanity. -9686046391943963670350520 Neo experiences HYPERLINK \l "shock2" culture shock when he meets Morpheus. Morpheus is the captain of the Nebuchadnezzar and leads the crew on a mission to find the one foretold to free humanity. Morpheus has spent his entire existence searching the Matrix and frees Neo because he believes that Neo is “the one”. Neo is awakened to the reality of what his life has been up to this point; an illusion, a dream, a program running in the background of his mind. He is overwhelmed by the knowledge that all his past experiences never really happened. Everything he believed to be real and true was programmed into him by a machine, the Matrix. Morpheus’s interaction with Neo from this moment on is an attempt to convince and prove to Neo that his belief in him is true. Cypher is a person who was previously freed from the Matrix. He is cynical and jealous of Neo, jealous of the bonds he quickly forms with the crew, and especially of the fondness growing between Neo and Trinity. He betrays humanity because he cannot have what he wants in the real physical world. He strikes a deal with agents of the Matrix to hand over the crew of the Nebuchadnezzar so they can find Zion and destroy the last human society in exchange for reintegration into the matrix. He wants all his memories of real life to be erased and a successful life filled with money, women, and bliss to be programmed in its stead. He wants to live in the Matrix’s ideal society completely unaware.Neo faces a HYPERLINK ""role conflict in that he believes he is just an ordinary person, 19050358077but Morpheus believes he is the one to free humanity from the Matrix. The idea, nay belief that Neo is the one to free humanity, is constantly handed to him. Neo is relieved when Morpheus takes him to see the Oracle who is supposed to be the oldest and wisest among them, an HYPERLINK \l "Ageism2" ageism that all old people are wise and should be revered and sought after for guidance CITATION Mac952 \l 1033 (Macionis, Chapter 15: Agining and the Elderly, 1995). She tells Neo “what he needs to hear”; confirming Neo’s belief that he is just a man not the savior of mankind. 3624580353695It isn’t until he is faced with an impossible situation that the Oracle also foretold does he face his fears and begin to believe. His doubts begin to fade as he faces the enemy agents of the Matrix with the aid of Trinity. He is able to perform several seemingly impossible feats and when faced with death manages to triumphs over it. The validation of his existence and his role in life is given to him in a whisper of hope from Trinity. The Oracle had foretold she would fall in love with the one to free humanity and she was in love with him. The combined beliefs of Trinity, Morpheus, and the Oracle made him believe in himself in a HYPERLINK ""self-fulfilling prophecy CITATION Def12 \l 1033 (Definition, 2012). I enjoyed this movie and have it in my home collection. I also enjoy the simplistic complexities of computers. It is easy for me to see how this movie could be dreamed up. Mankind is constantly advancing forward, moving more, and more towards technology. The more we become entranced by technology the more we tend to draw back from our physical social interactions. It is far easier to communicate thoughts and ideas to a blank screen that does not respond back than it is to face live people in circumstances where we could face intimidation, rejection, anger, and fear. centerbottom Terms: HYPERLINK \l "Sociology2" Sociology - the systematic study of the development, structure, interaction, and collective behavior of organized groups of human beings. CITATION Dic12 \l 1033 (Dictionary, 2012) HYPERLINK \l "Functionalist1" Functionalist – Functionalists seek to describe the different parts of a society and their relationship through the organic analogy. The organic analogy compared the different parts of a society to the organs of a living organism. The organism was able to live, reproduce and function through the organized system of its several parts and organs. Like a biological organism, a society was able to maintain its essential processes through the way that the different parts interacted together. CITATION Dep09 \l 1033 (Department of Anthropology, 2009) HYPERLINK \l "Matrix1" Matrix - situation in which something develops: a situation or set of circumstances that allows or encourages the origin, development, or growth of something; in computing, a network of circuit parts such as transistors and resistors CITATION Dic121 \l 1033 (Dictionary, 2012) HYPERLINK \l "Sapir1" Sapir-Whorf hypothesis - argues that (to quote one of its authors) language ‘is not merely a reproducing instrument for voicing ideas, but is itself a shaper of ideas, the program and guide for the individual's meaningful activity’. In short, language determines (or shapes) our perceptions of reality CITATION The121 \l 1033 (Marshall, 1998). HYPERLINK \l "Conflict1" Conflict theory - society is in a state of perpetual conflict and competition for limited resources. Those who have perpetually try to increase their wealth at the expense and suffering of those who have not CITATION Che09 \l 1033 (Cheney, 2009). HYPERLINK \l "counter1" Counterculture - cultural patterns that strongly oppose conventional culture. Members of countercultures are likely to question the morality of the majority group and engage in some form of protest activities CITATION Mac95 \l 1033 (Macionis, Chapter 3: Culture, 1995). HYPERLINK \l "shock1" Culture shock - the personal disorientation accompanying exposure to an unfamiliar way of life CITATION Mac95 \l 1033 (Macionis, Chapter 3: Culture, 1995) HYPERLINK \l "roll1" Role conflict - the incompatibility among roles corresponding to two or more statuses CITATION Mac951 \l 1033 (Macionis, Chapter 6: Social Interaction in Everyday Life, 1995)Ageism - prejudice and discrimination against the elderly CITATION Mac952 \l 1033 (Macionis, Chapter 15: Agining and the Elderly, 1995) HYPERLINK \l "self1" Self-fulfilling prophecy - any positive or negative expectation about circumstances, events, or people that may affect a person's behavior toward them in a manner that causes those expectations to be fulfilled CITATION Def12 \l 1033 (Definition, 2012). Works Cited BIBLIOGRAPHY Cheney, P. (2009). Chapter 03 - Social Theories. Retrieved March 14, 2012, from Intro to Sociology.Definition. (2012). Retrieved March 14, 2012, from Business : of Anthropology. (2009). Anthropological Theories. Retrieved March 14, 2012, from The University of Alabama: . (2012, March 7). Retrieved March 14, 2012, from Merriam-Webster: . (2012). Retrieved March 14, 2012, from Bing: , J. J. (1995). Chapter 15: Agining and the Elderly. Retrieved March 14, 2012, from Sociology: , J. J. (1995). Chapter 3: Culture. Retrieved March 14, 2012, from Sociology: , J. J. (1995). Chapter 6: Social Interaction in Everyday Life. Retrieved March 14, 2012, from Sociology: , G. (1998). Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. (A Dictionary of Sociology) Retrieved March 14, 2012, from : ................
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