I'm rereading this book once again, after having watched my DVD of "The Matrix" yesterday prior to going to work. I also browsed a few of the books in this series earlier today at the bookstore. There are now 20 different books in this series, all utilizing pop culture to teach philosophy. But it helps if you already have some knowledge of major historical figures in philosophy.
Anyway, all of the books are sets of essays by various authors(most usually being professors of philosophy). Besides "The Matrix," I also have the one about "Seinfeld," and would like to add the latest, "Poker and Phiosophy"(seems it was chosen primarily due to the current popularity of "Texas Hold 'em), "Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Philosophy," and the second tome about all three of "The Matrix" movies instead of only the first.
I've never quite been able to get into "Buffy," although my cousin is a big fan and has offered to lend me his DVDs of every season of the show. So for me, it will be easier to buy the book, read it first, and then watch the DVDs! According to him, it's just hard getting through the first season. I browsed this book today, and it did mention something about "Spike being 'chipped,'" but for good/benevolent reasons. I read only a couple sentences about it, yet it reminded me far too much of B.F. Skinner's "operant conditioning"(bleaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh )! Although I suppose you could argue entering an SC is a form of "operant conditioning, in and of itself.
Anyway, getting back to,"The Matrix," it's quite a worthwhile read, especially if you have the DVD, so you can switch back and forth between the essays and the movie.



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