16 Comments
User's avatar
Cole Henderson's avatar

Thanks for these words Ricky. As I continued to read, I was reminded of the scene from The Matrix when he was telling Neo exactly what the matrix is: “The Matrix is everywhere, it is all around us. Even now, in this very room. You can see it when you look out your window, or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work, or when go to church or when you pay your taxes. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.”

John Noire's avatar

I watched The Matrix recently and had a similar feeling during that scene. It's so scary how close we are to it becoming a reality.

Cole Henderson's avatar

Metaphorically, we are basically there 😭

Ricky Denham's avatar

Thanks for reading Cole, I couldn’t agree more. I appreciate your thoughts. And that Matrix reference is spot on.

Fredrick Denham's avatar

Brilliant insight into the evolution of the machine and exposition of its incremental yet pervasive intrusion into our collective consciousness to a near possession of our very souls. As we enter the artificial age (also predictively punned by Prince as the Art Official Age), the question is: can we remember who (and whose) we are, disentangle ourselves from the multidimensional matrix, and ultimately reclaim our sovereignty and dignity from this digital dystopia? Or is it too late?…

Ricky Denham's avatar

WELL SAID! The disentanglement will take a lot of work and time. I appreciate your perspective a lot Dad, thanks for reading and great insight!

Fredrick Denham's avatar

Thanks, Ricky. Having participated in the tech industry for over 35 years, I see firsthand the motivations of the corporate system. I’ve seen what drives the exponential rise in data collection and analytics ultimately designed to maximize profit margins. While that’s just on the commercial side of things, the real danger lies on the political side. We’re already seeing the writing on the wall as the ruling class accelerates deployment of this infrastructure on a massive scale.

Ricky Denham's avatar

Major facts. You have a level of insight and experience of the evolvement of the industry first hand. And while the tech movement is a historical one, you at least have a level of awareness of how it can work with the people. Grateful for that.

Karla Marie Sweet's avatar

My GOD, this was an exceptional essay. "The computer has become the bread and water to civilizations, at the cost of contaminating bread, water, and civilizations at the same time." Wow. Yes. Exactly this. x

Ricky Denham's avatar

Hey Karla!!! I hope you been well! Thank you so much for reading and sharing your kind words! I never take your praise for granted! Really appreciate you. And I DEFINITELY need to read your essay. I got it saved 👌🏾

Karla Marie Sweet's avatar

& I love that Prince quote! I actually used it myself in my essay Substack Has Problems. He was so ahead of his time!

Shef Tobi 👨🏽‍🍳's avatar

written from the subconscious?

Ricky Denham's avatar

From the heart

Jeff and Krysten's avatar

Very well said! Thanks for using the power of words to redirect our attention(s) to what really matters!

Ricky Denham's avatar

You’re welcome! Thank you so much for reading, and your kind words

User's avatar
Comment removed
Jan 16
Comment removed
Ricky Denham's avatar

Wow, you’re right. Sadly true. No longer a hyperbole. Folks gotta try to get another quick fix.