Movie Analysis

Reaction Paper 2: The Matrix

Length: 2 single spaced pages plus reference page / 100 points

For this paper, you will explore the process of communicative informatics, the social shaping of

communication technology, represented in the movie, The Matrix. You will analyze how the

characters using communication technology influence each other and their social worlds. You can

extend this to how the movie exemplifies our current society and its uses of communication technology.

You may apply any technological and communication concepts, theories, and/or perspectives from class material to develop your analysis. Have a central thesis that is a major theme or

concept from course materials. Overarching themes to help guide your analysis are

Communicative Informatics level/sphere (data-base analytics, algorithmic reasoning, post-mass

media feedback loop), third places, media naturalness, presence, flow, usability, and user engagement.

To help facilitate your analysis here are some questions to consider.

1. New technology implies changing social interaction patterns and social norms. How do the characters influences and mold technology to fit their needs? Are they active audiences? How are they part of online communities, communities online, audiences,

and/or third places?

2. Discuss how the characters influences their social world(s) using Communicative Informatics level/sphere 2, Network Systems & Human Computer Interaction/Interface,

and then at level/sphere 3, Communicative; Information & Communication

Technologies. The system learns about users through gathering data in databases; while, the user can learn to use the tailored information to his or her advantage.

3. In what ways does technology foster information transfer, communication, and social interaction? Is it natural? Is it mediated or face-to-face? How does media naturalness explain social interaction though technology in the matrix? What role might proximity

play in increasing user engagement?

Be creative and have fun with it. Remember to integrate readings & concepts from class.

Support your claims with examples from the movie. Cite sources. Here is a list of detailed

concepts to consider.

- Information - Communication - Feedback - Communicative Informatics - Media type & symbolic cues - Sender - Receiver - Channel/Medium - Media - Feedback - Noise - Levels/Spheres of Communication - Interactivity and Push & Pull Media - Paradigm - Narrowcasting - Media Uses and Gratifications - Illusion of Audience control - Burke Identification - Active Audiences - Universal Audience - Elite or “Particular Audience” - A single hearer: Appeal to

participation; Appeal to Proximity

- Social media - Engagement

- Shared Locality - Structural norms (social - rules) - Speech Community - Online communities - Communities online - Social presence theory - Technology Adoption Model - Ages of: communities and place; class

and groups; mass communication;

and space

- Social Cues - Mental Model - Symbolic Interactionism - “Generalized Other” - Copresence - Sense of embodiment - Environment/Space - Psychological Involvement - Flow State - Message difficulty - Usage skills - Third Places - Need for affiliation - Media Naturalness - Creative & active audience - Value Premise - Civic Engagement