Say Cheese!

Technorati Tag(s): Movies, People, Speculation

One of the biggest reason the original Matrix works is because it neatly supports the idea of how the individual is greater than the pack. Just like The Truman Show, it places the fate of an entire population in a normal individual's hands.

The focus shifts from the decisions of an entire population to the decision--and the fate--of one man.

It is certainly an empowering thought that you could be the One. Heck, anyone could be the One.

But it is, in the grand tradition of developments in the novel, inherently narcissist. We are, after all, so completely possessed of and by ourselves. The camera is always on you, baby. And the camera is always on me, baby. I'm no different.

The point is, though, that nobody else really cares about you except yourself.

The point is that if you don't care about yourself, then, and only then, truly no one cares about yourself.

What I'm wondering about is, is this attitude beneficial to both the individual and society, or harmful?

On one hand is Osama Bin Laden who single handedly changed the fate of the world. On the other are both you and I.