Neo is offered the red pill and the blue pill by Morpheus in the opening act of the Matrix. The blue pill allows Neo to remain in the Matrix, in essence to go back to sleep and to remember this little encounter w/ Morpheus as a dream or "believe whatever you want to believe". The red pill allows Neo to stay in the "wonderland" and discover the truth.
I like this sentence from an essay about the Matrix b/c it captures the essence of the choice: "The question then is not about pills, but what they stand for in these circumstances. The question is asking us whether reality, truth, is worth pursuing."
I think since most if not all of you who are taking this class are taking this class b/c you want to dig deeper into life, you are highly curious and intelligent and want to find out what is out there, I think there's very very few who will NOT take the red pill.
So, when answering this question, consider the possible ramifications/consequences of choosing your pill.
So, when choosing, choose wisely and consider the consequences of your actions.
- Are you content with knowing that you could die at any moment from those machines that are trying to kill you?
- What if Neo is NOT the One and you've sacrificed yourself for nothing?
- Obviously, if you choose the blue pill and you go back into the Matrix, would you be able to live w/ yourself w/ the knowledge that you had the answers at your fingertips and you let them go (for whatever reasons - fear, apathy, etc.)?
350 words minimum. Post your answers here below (Comments). Due Monday, April 20.
Please read this article and make some references to it in your answer: https://www.wired.com/story/matrix-red-pill-vs-blue-pill/
Will Drake
ReplyDeleteI had not seen The Matrix before watching it as a class and I must say that the movie did not disappoint. The premise of a strange man offering me two pills to choose from, while uncanny, would likely lead to me choosing the red pill.
The basis for me choosing the red pill over the blue pill is primarily related to the natural human instinct of curiosity. I am genuinely curious as to where I will go, both physically and spiritually, if I take the red pill. Even if Neo had not been “the one” and everything I did was in vain, I believe that my journey that I took to unearth the truth would have been worth it. Additionally, as stated in the Wired article in the argument for the red pill, the red pill would give me the ability to navigate the matrix and bend it to my own will.
Another reason why I would choose the red pill over the blue pill is that I would have a hard time living with myself if I knew that I could have had the option of unearthing the truth, but I decided it was preferable to stay in the Matrix as a mere pawn of the alien robots’ system. Choosing the blue pill would leave me continuously wondering what is real and what is not real, and what I could and could not believe. Ultimately, what would matter most to me is reality and the truth, which I believe are worth pursuing, no matter the cost.
I will acknowledge that one point of hesitation on my part is that I would be scared of the slimy alien robot machines wanting to kill me for finding out their secrets. I have also never liked bugs, and those machines remind me of them. The agents, or viruses, who can appear out of nowhere, hijack anyone they wish and are almost invincible do slightly frighten me as well, especially knowing that I could have an alien robot bug inserted through my stomach. Despite the threat of men in suits and alien robots, this would not be enough to prevent me from choosing the red pill.
Both sides of the argument for the red pill or the blue pill have valid points, but I believe that choosing the red pill would be the correct decision because of my natural instinct of curiosity, my important journey to discover the truth, and the guilt that would live inside me if I decided not to choose the red pill.
Personally, I would have chosen the red pill if I were in Neo’s position. I would still be wary of taking the red pill due to the possible dangers that may occur as a result, but I believe it’s better than the alternative. I think in all cases reality is preferable to fantasy. Reality may not always be as positive or as wonderful as fantasy, but it is immediately relevant to your life. Picking the red pill is not a choice without negative consequences, but it is the only choice where there is a pursuit of truth. As philosophers, the pursuit of truth is what matters most and everything else comes second. Some free-thinkers throughout history have risked everything in the pursuit of truth. Galileo was spurned by the Catholic Church due to his “radical” ideas and support of heliocentrism. His pursuit of truth allowed progress to be made in our knowledge of the universe. Similarly, while Neo is putting himself in danger by choosing the red pill or “truth” he eventually prevails and betters the world around him for it. On the other hand, I would not be comfortable taking the blue pill. If I were to take the blue pill, I would have unanswered questions that would bother me for the rest of my life. I would be haunted by the fact that I could’ve realized the truth about my reality and world but didn’t. Living in ignorance of reality is not really living at all.
ReplyDeleteWithin the debate between red pill and the blue lies an underlying issue that many do not pay attention to: many claim that they would be unable to function if they did not discover the truth about the universe. However, their identities are shaped by the only world they have known for their entire life. They claim to be curious people that would be unable to resist the prospect of such knowledge, but they are curious people in this world; in another reality, they may be very timid. This reason alone is enough to make me take the blue pill. The world I live in and know is the same reality in which I have experienced everything that I have and learned everything that I know. Leaving behind this world, even if it is just a simulation, could potentially mean tearing apart my identity. In another reality, I may be shy and apathetic to science, traits contradictory to how I perceive myself now. Moreover, I don’t know I would react to this new world, or even if I would prefer it over the life I had before, a notion supported by Emily Dreyfuss in the article “The Matrix's Red Pill or Blue Pill—Which Is Better?” There is a possibility that it is boring, or even that I don’t physically exist and I am just a simulation. This would make it impossible to return to my previous life and cause me to doubt everything I thought I knew.
ReplyDeleteThe point still remains that - as someone who views himself as inquisitive and academic - it would be difficult to go back to the Matrix knowing that I potentially had access to highly coveted information and surrendered that opportunity. However, curiosity is not limited to the “true reality.” There are still opportunities to perform research, study, and find out more about the world we live in to satiate our sense of curiosity. Furthermore, these ventures are accompanied by a relative sense of stability and security that would not be guaranteed when taking the red pill. As Dreyfuss noted in the Wired article, Neo is overwhelmed by his newfound responsibilities and knowledge. All of these arguments are assuming that we remember this decision. It is possible that we will forget our choice or believe it was a dream, and you cannot feel regret over a decision when you don’t remember making one. Overall, although less adventurous, taking the blue pill would provide me with the assurance I desire in my life.
Personally, I would choose the blue pill. The blue pill has people living in an illusion, oblivious to the truth.This illusion shields people from seeing teh world for what it really is. The people in power provide the blue pill to those people. Once they are inside the reality of the blue pill, it is difficult to change their minds. If the reality is challenged, they will resist and become minds of teh red pill.They start to question the previous reality, knowing that it wasn't real. The red pill allows you to know the knowledge of everything, and you are able to share this knowledge. But knowing knowledge before experiencing things for yourself isn't teh best, you're basically living in another simulation telling what is good and what is bad. Without experiencing the world before you and learning on your own you’ve already been told what is faulty without discovering it for yourself.
ReplyDeleteThe blue pill keeps me in the world where I was oblivious to the truth, but the world is already normal to me so nothing seems out of the ordinary. Knowing that I took the red pill and fully understand the truths of the world would scare me. I would know I was basically living in a simulation which could end at any moment. Putting my life at risk when I can just keep living in the world that I've known my whole life without question. Choosing between the red and blue in todays society wouldn't be that hard to choose but maybe if it was in the 1800s to late 1900s I would want to pick the red pill. But knowing that today we have a near equality is good enough. I don’t think anything will ever be equal because of the controversies of the past and new things brought up. But being in the 1800s and 1900s and just ignoring racism, and sexism is not okay. I would want for a change to happen, let everyone know that it is not okay for such things to happen.
Asia's response.
DeleteI believe if I were given the option to pick the red pill or the blue pill, I would choose the red pill. Even though I would be at risk of dying from the machines or even risking my own life to save Ne-Yo, it is still better to know some truth better to be not knowing anything and die ignorant. I would choose the red pill because it would allow me to know something more and have somewhat of choice of what to do in my life than to be enslaved by the matrix. But one of the minor problems of choosing the red pill is that you will be enlightened into the world. And I believe that’ll make me wonder what if this is another version of the matrix and it would get me to look for more red pills to see more. And I can connect this into the real world is when we start seeing something new and something more informational make us want more and more to reach for the truth. So yes choosing the red pill will help you but I believe it is only a small part of a more significant journey that will come by, but it is always better to know somewhat of truth anti-ignorant, yes your life will be more comfortable in the matrix, but at the end, you have zero control, and you are almost purposeless because someone already knows what you’re going to do you have nothing but choosing the red pill gives you an opportunity to start having a purpose and choose your way of life and choose your thoughts and have control over yourself. And even if you do die by the robot or sacrifice yourself for Ne-Yo if he’s not the one you can die knowing that you know more than someone else and you can die knowing that your diet free and not enslaved. Also, just by being human, we have the nature to be curious, which means if we do get the choice to no more, we would most likely choose it better than to know nothing because of our sense of curiosity to find out what is there. This is why selecting the Red pill is better than choosing the blue pill and why I would choose the red pill.
ReplyDelete-Eleen Laham
Sophies world week 1 and philosophy in the real world blogs
ReplyDeletehttps://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8618065792617512943#allposts
Red Pill/Blue Pill
Personally, I think I would take the red pill. I understand that i would wake up and have very swayed memory of the entire encounter, but i would live the rest of my life regretting that decision. The thing for me is that that if i take the red pill and begin my journey into the "real world", i may have regrets, but i would understand what i regret. I may have to endure more issues and have a greater burden to live with, but i would understand all those issues and how they arose. The blue pill would allow me to not have any deep burdens in my life, but i would always have some regret in the back of my mind of the "what if" on taking the pills. Going forward with this decisions also puts me in the position to gain more knowledge. Waking up the next day and somewhat remembering the day before makes it as if it never happens. I would continue to live my life how it was before and still search for the "truth" although i was already given the opportunity to find it. Going deeper into the issues of the matrix would allow me to understand why i am either happy i made this decision, or regret doing this decision, where the other opportunity leaves me with no idea as to what may have happened.
Joey, that link you provided isn't working. It's a link to your blog's dashboard, not the public URL. Can you send that to me?
Deleteyes, I will put them in this comment and let me know what other way i should send it if necessary. I was pasting my working blogs and not the submitted ones!
Deletehttps://joeysphilosophical.blogspot.com/
Perfect. Thanks.
DeleteTB
ReplyDeleteWhile the realistic answer is that I would not take any pill from a strange man in a dark room, if I were assured of their legitimacy, I would pick the blue pill. Ignorance is bliss, and I have no drive to live in a dystopian universe, no matter if it is the "real" thing. Being told that the real world is fake doesn't do much - Just like the people in the cave were able to reject the existence of the real world when their former cellmate returned. It is easy enough to forget, and given the world of the Matrix, you may as well wait until all of humanity is freed instead of risking your own well-being as part of a disorganized resistance.
This is all not to mention that you have no way of knowing if you actually escaped the Matrix, and didn't just end up in a more dystopian version of it designed to supply the pain and suffering that some people need to believe they are alive (what the normal Matrix provided normal people by way of war and natural disasters and such). If you have to live in some world, who is to say that the nice Matrix is any less real than the "real" world, and even if it is, why does that make it better. It's not fair to compare the Matrix with a dank, dark cave and the real world with the great outdoors - if anything, they are the opposite. If the cave were "real life" and outside was the illusion, I would have no problem basking in the sunlight, because it is just better than the alternative. Truth is not necessarily better than fiction, as many a Utopian story will show you.
The blue pill offers everything you have ever known, and everything you have ever loved, while the red pill basically only offers suffering. While things may be better in Zion, from what we see of life in the "real world" in the Matrix, it is far worse than (most of) the Matrix, though obviously your position in the Matrix would change your outlook on that. If you were born in an artificially war-torn region of the Matrix, starving and without any quality of life, maybe then the red pill would be interesting. For Joe Schmoe living in suburbia, however, it is anything but.
I often question many ideas and things in my life that would not be answered without further investigation or digging to find the truth, but at the same time, do I really want to know the answers to these thoughts? Without a doubt, I would love to know if there’s a higher power somewhere or if we are all born with innate ideas, but I also believe a part of making life worth living is having these questions unanswered, so I would choose the blue pill. If we knew the answers to all of our doubts and skepticisms of the world we are living in, there would be nothing to look forward to and nothing to explore or learn more about. There would not be anything to keep our lives interesting because we would already know everything we had thought of discovering on earth. Everyone would be living satisfied and content with all their new findings, that no one would have an imagination or the ability to challenge their beliefs anymore. Some say these answers would give life meaning, but I think it would make life meaningless, because there would be nothing to seek out for. Being curious about what is really out there enables creativity and unlimited opportunities to explore, be inventive, and pursue what you want. But with every explanation in front of your face, people would not strive for anything that gives them the ability to develop a new view or perspective on a topic. In my opinion, life would be pointless if we knew everything there is to know about where we are and where we come from and I find great value from being oblivious to the truth. On top of that, the red pill would give humanity too much reassurance in life, similar to what Emily Dreyfuss articulated in the “Wired” article, “The red pill lets you literally fly and hack the code that powers the world.” Thus, knowing all the answers to the questions I wonder on a daily basis would be phenomenal, but I think staying unaware to keep searching holds more worth.
ReplyDeleteFor me, I can’t help but take the red pill. While at first, I was steadfast in my decision but after mulling it over I still kept my conclusion, even after considering the consequences. My reasons for my decision are twofold, that of progress and avoidance of paranoia (or possible insanity).
ReplyDeleteThe Matrix is a system of utter stagnation and suffering once its secrets are revealed, even without the red pill knowledge, it is still a depressive landscape. As the WIRED article mentions, “ignorance is bliss”, yet this isn’t pure ignorance, its ignorance formed up out of fear to move forward. To know that there is something far greater beyond all that surrounds you, is a sentence to a life of either effortless hedonism or self-destructive depression. Then beyond the ever altered mind state, there also exists the possibility that at any time you are just prey to whatever grand scale designs control this world you know, constantly living in fear of spontaneous death or suffering.
While hedonism may be a respectable pastime – it isn’t a goal – the desire for progress and movement beyond a stalemate of the year 1999, is only possible after taking the red pill. But the decision is never as clear cut as that, for many wonder what the point is in seeking progress if the possibilities are near zero. The answer to that is in the illusion of possibility, having any nonzero chance easily beats out a predefined simulation. The real world already, most people spend their lives making no real impact on the world, but only individualistic impacts on those around them, yet they continue on in hopes of making that impact someday. The Matrix strips you of any chance to alter the future or create a better world for the future generations, creating a temporal prison that slowly rids you of any will. While the chances of death are, of course, much higher outside of the Matrix, avoiding the blue pill’s fake ignorance and maintaining a life that could actually prove to be beneficial are upsides that far outweigh.
Overall, I can’t see many valid reasons to reject the red pill (that is assuming you remember all the happenings with agents, Morpheus, and trinity). The blue pill, is a doomed and hollow imitation of life, while the red pill gives some value to life and promise of the future. Though it is important to remember this argument is not that knowledge implies a better life (the WIRED article is correct in that it guarantees nothing) but rather that partial knowledge without a means of control is far worse than the reverse.
I would pick the red pill if I was in Neos' situation. I know that I wouldn’t be able to live with myself knowing I was so close to the truth and I wouldn't know how terrible it was outside of The Matrix. That being said I don’t think I would be happy with my decision once I learn about the state of the world. I don’t think I would be able to step forward as “The One” in the way that Neo did. Though it hurts to admit it, I’d likely have similar feelings to that of Cypher (although I’d like to think I wouldn’t backstab anyone like that) and always wish I would have taken the blue pill. Life in The Matrix is obviously much better than in life outside of it and I would miss the life that I had before taking the pill. However, once I was there I think I would deal with it and pull my weight on the ship. To me it seems like both options are terrible. It’s either live the rest of your life wondering “what if” or live the rest of your life with killer robots after you. That comparison may seem like the blue pill is an easy choice but when you don’t know about the killer robots, it makes sense you would choose the red pill. Being able to have super powers when I go back into The Matrix would also ease the pain. It also seems like Neo didn’t have many friends he was leaving behind and he also seemed to hate his job so joining a whole crew of people and becoming friends with all of them might even make his life better outside of The Matrix. I, however, like my life and have friends and family I would be leaving behind and would miss a lot. In conclusion, I would be miserable and full of regret either way, but at least I would know the truth if I take the red pill and, especially if I had been looking for so long like Neo was, it almost seems like I don’t have a choice.
ReplyDeleteIf I were presented the same choice as Neo in the Matrix, to take the red pill, which enlightens me beyond my current comprehension, or the blue pill, which will keep me in my comfortable reality, I would choose the red pill. I say this because I wouldn't be able to be content with knowing that there is a reality that I am not able to encounter, and I am stuck living MY reality. I know that by taking the blue pill, it will make the event of choosing feel like a dream, but I know that even if I were to wake up in my bed after "dreaming" that, the very idea, real or not, of a greater reality would still be stuck in my subconscious, and it would tear away at me for a while. Considering the consequences of consuming the blue pill, I would deem dealing with robot death squids a valid side effect of the red pill. I would rather die a real death a quarter of the way through my life than live my entire life a lie. Additionally, regardless of whether or not Neo is "The One," I still get the privilege of seeing the "real world," something not many people will get to do, yet something they should be entitled to. I would find it immoral and unfair that not all people would get the chance to see their true “reality,” and would make it my mission to share it with them, so I would be fine to wait for the real “One” to come along if Neo wasn't it. In regards to the attached article, I feel that both writers strayed from the spirit of the topic, and somehow spiraled off into modern day politics, however I still feel that the argument for the red pill is better in that context anyways. Looking at myself, I'm someone who gets news from four different sources, as I try to get the most accurate information on any current event possible. Taking the red pill would be an easy choice in the context of the writers arguments because I already want to know the truth about all that goes on in the world today, and the red pill would actually save me a lot of time and reading.
ReplyDeleteVERIFICATION
Would you take the red pill or the blue pill? Simply put, I think this question boils down to would you rather be brave and see an ugly truth of a reality far less appealing than the one you believe to be true, or would you rather stay ignorant and go on believing in the false reality you were born into and remain a mindless slave. The movie from which this question came from frames the two options in favor of the red pill, and I think for that reason people often choose the red pill without giving much thought to it because thats what neo, the almighty protagonist did. However, the article we read does a good job on elaborating on the question and stating strong points for each side. The red pill advocate states that seeking the truth is the way to go where the blue pill advocate says if the truth is overwelming and shows you a harsh reality you have little chance of changing anyway, why even bother. Towards the end they compromise on a purple pill, and it got me thinking, can this question really be answered by just a yes or no, red or blue? The first time I watched the matrix, I remember choosing the blue pill. I have no valid reason for doing so, I was 7 and blue was my favorite color. I didn't understand the movie at all. However, the second and third times I watched the movie, I was a able to reflect more on what I would choose. One thing I think about is how the movie sets up the red pill as the way to go, with Neo choosing red and later on one of the antagonists betrays the group in chase of being able to return to his old life, tainting the blue pill choice with his evil actions. I try to forget the movie when I think of the choice to remove bias, and I think society wouldn't be as supportive of the red pill if they did the same. In fact, I think society would lean towards the blue pill if we were being completely honest with ourselves. I think we choose the blue pill all the time, in fact. When people do drugs or get lost in the made up worlds of movies or video games, isn't that us just trying to take a blue pill? From my observation, the people who have problems with drinking, drugs, video games or anything like that are people who are unhappy with the world they live in so they search for a better world with those vices. I think that sounds rather appealing, if you could make up your own world instead of living in. The more courageous part of me would choose the red pill to find the truth rather than be a mind slave. The coward in me would choose the blue pill, the easy way out, and that would probably be what I end up acting on.
ReplyDeleteI believe that in spite of the adversity and fear of the unknown, that I would still choose to take the red pill. I think that living your life knowing that there is another reality where you have control over some of the things that happen to you, would be a form of hell. Natural curiosity makes you yearn for more information. However, sometimes ignorance is better than anything else that could be out there. The problem, which is addressed by Emily Dreyfuss in the wired article, is that even now, as we live and breath, we don't know everything. I think most people make the choice based on the thought process that in the real world you are not attached to the shackles of someone else’s version of what you should and need to know. But aren't we? Is there any reality in which we truly know everything and that everything we know truly helps us to be better? There is no guarantee for neo that taking the red pill will provide him with a better life, but i think that factor that ultimately makes the choice worth it is the fact that despite the good or bad that comes with, you made a choice that created a new path of knowledge that wasn't there prior to the pill. The freedom of thought gives you the power to work in the broken Matrix . The question of what if Neo is not the one, is not a straight answer question. To me there is no situation in which sacrificing yourself so that someone has access to a new way of thinking, would be bad; but, it is pressing to consider if you would be able to accept the fact that you didn't succeed. If you went through the strife and the war for someone, when is the point where you would have realized it was a lost cause? Even if Neo had woken up and reduced his reaction to Morpheus, a diluted dream, dreams do not fade. There will always be a part of your self conscious that remembers a truth that someone once whispered in your ear.
ReplyDeleteChoice of taking the red or blue pill almost comes down to the strength of mind. is your mind strong enough to handle what you don't know. The blue pill is sweet ignorance and unknowing of the real world while the red pill is the ignorance being taken from you and introducing you to the truth and a world where things are considerably worse. In the movie a character that has taken the red pill regretted his decision because he was tired of living the way they did, he found out the truth and couldn't handle it leading him to betray the others for a false life. Though his mind was not as strong, he chose to learn the truth anyway. In the matrix knowledge gives them power to manipulate the Matrix too their will. But as the article says knowledge is not always power and ignorance is not always bliss, there is a spectrum. And things can often be turned around, ignorant people can still be powerful and rich and the ones who know the truth can have no power at all in real life. From the article taking the blue pill would keep you under and oblivious, this would turn the red pill into a fantasy of itself. Staying under the blue pill would make the red pill terrifying to people who deny the truth. I would choose the red pill, knowing that I am not living in the real world would not sit well with me. I am naturally a curious person so not taking the red pill would keep me up at night. The thought of what if the truth isn't what I think it is would obviously cross my mind. I mean there must be a reason that we’re living in a dream in the first place, is it for our protection or are they just hiding something? There are other questions too, too many to not take the red pill. Why are we a dream/simulation? Who all is in it? What is the real world like? When did we get here? How long have we been here? These questions are too important to pass up. There is also the feeling of beginning something, that feeling when you decide to do a grand heist or rescue someone or start on a master plan. These feelings and questions wouldn't go unnoticed for long, leaving me to choose the red pill.
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