Are We Living in the Matrix?
Does it seem we are losing control of the things around us? I keep coming back to the thought that we have become overly reactionary as people. We seem to be more and more ruled over by fear. Unwilling to take risks. Even the risk of living the ordinary life. I have to agree the world seems to be a more dangerous place. Emphasis on “seems”. The world has always been a dangerous place. The bombardment of constant information and news is making us fearful, bordering on neurotic. Are we overly emotional? Do we tend to make drastic or irrational decisions and judgements? Are we increasingly unwilling to assume the “risks” of normal life?
We all see the memes and social media posts about how we never wore helmets on our bikes or pads for skateboarding. We drank straight from the garden hose and there was even a day when hockey players didn’t wear helmets. There was a time when we were taking unnecessary risks and maybe, in a way, we’re smarter. We have learned to be more safe and to wear our seatbelts. We drive with the comfort knowing airbags deploy incase of an accident. The more we learn and can wrap ourselves in the bubble wrap of safety the more emotionally fragile we are becoming. We seem to know more about health and eating right and have never been more fat and unhealthy. We seem to be more informed on many fronts but we do not seem to be able to use it to our advantage. We shrink under the weight of impending doom.
I listen to people say how dangerous it is to travel out of the country, yet their own communities are riddled with gun violence and random crime daily. I never grew up with the attitude or reality we that we could leave our front doors unlocked or leave our keys in our cars. I had to learn to have a healthy distrust for my fellow man. Sounds terrible, like I don’t see good in others. That is not true. Trust is earned and respect is then given. But I refuse to hide from humanity because of a few bad apples. I will not begin my days with the presumption of doom. I will not allow the negativity around me to rule my heart with fear. I will live with my eyes open and my senses alert. We all acknowledge bad things and accidents can happen everyday. There are bad people who want to victimize others. All we can do is be smart, be alert and make good decisions. Be prepared. Be aware of your surroundings and live life.
More and more people seem to be becoming dislodged from reality. They may be living in a simulation of a new world. A new narrative. An undoing of what has stood the test of time. Now people are too old, too narrow in their thinking and holding back the world from true change. We have to band together to save ourselves. Even if it means upending every institution our society has been built upon. This world is being built on chaos and confusion. The rise of the bully swinging the bat of cancel culture demands blood. They demand total surrender and will not leave one brick upon another. Destruction will never bring peace. We live in a vacuum of time with a void of leadership. That’s the goal of the simulation, to convince the masses we are doomed and being led by buffoons. This may not be a hard sell nowadays.
Surrender yourselves to your helplessness. It is all out of your control and you are just along for the ride. There is no hope, there is no joy, there is no fun. Only guilt and regret. Shame on you for trying to work hard, achieving success on the backs of others. No-one deserves anything and everyone deserves nothing. The matrix of suffering and doom is being built all around you. Blame and finger pointing are all the craze. Networks and media are built upon it. They make you believe you know what is happening and why. They define your enemies and you hate them. How could you tolerate those who are ruining the world for the rest of us?
Everyday people are swept up into the new world. The crowds grow bigger. The demands grow louder. The arguments continue. How long will the thief be allowed to steal your time and peace of mind? How long will people volunteer themselves for a war that destroys both sides? There is never a winner. The casualties will grow until the volunteers stay home.