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The Matrix and business @ the speed of thought

University of Texas at Arlington, USA

This article argues that the 1998 film The Matrix raises crucial questions about the status of workers in the new digital workplace, especially in texts such as Bill Gates' Business @ the Speed of Thought. The development of new electronic media has lead to the development of hypercapitalism. This article argues that the crucial feature of hypercapitalism is the control of time rather than space. Using the theories of Paul Virilio and urban geographer David Harvey, it is argued that, despite its flaws, The Matrix is in fact a compelling critique of hypercapitalism. However, while The Matrix calls into question the status of the networked worker, this article concludes that it does not take into account the 'network effect'.

Key Words: digital workplace • Bill Gates' Business @ the speed of thought • David Harvey • hypercapitalism • 'network effect' • space • time • Paul Virilio • workers

New Media & Society, Vol. 6, No. 6, 803-821 (2004)
DOI: 10.1177/146144804047514


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