Showerthought: Found out last week that 'The Matrix' basically took the whole 'brain in a jar' idea from a 1970s sci-fi novel called 'The Electric Ant' by Philip K. Dick.

I was reading a random blog about old sci-fi and the author pointed out how the plot beats match up almost beat for beat, has anyone else noticed this or am I just late to the party?

3 comments

3 Comments

hannah3201mo ago

Just found out about this from your post, so guess we're both late to the party. My brain apparently came pre-installed with old Philip K. Dick stories from the 70s but forgot to load the operating system for remembering where I put my keys.

vera1951mo ago

I heard this one creator talk about brain "save points" and @hannah320

the_drew1mo ago

The 1973 story by Philip K. Dick called "The Electric Ant" really does line up with The Matrix more than I ever gave it credit for. I used to think the movie was mostly inspired by Neuromancer and Japanese anime, but that comparison changed my whole view on how much the Wachowskis borrowed. Once you see the parallels with the reality tape and the perception machine, it's hard to unsee.

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