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Yes! This was the biggest flaw in The Matrix (which I otherwise love): it had machines using human bodies as power sources whereas they could have used human br

by Jun8 11y ago

Yes! This was the biggest flaw in The Matrix (which I otherwise love): it had machines using human bodies as power sources whereas they could have used human brains for computational power leading to huge power efficiency. Think about somehow hooking up a brain to a computer which can interpret the neural code. Then you have the best known general purpose AI machine running on 20W. Now combine hundreds, thousands of them. Not human brains, of course, but say monkey brains. DARPA already conducted some experiments in this area (http://www.kurzweilai.net/darpa-links-brain-waves-sensors-and-algorithms-to-detect-targets http://www.kurzweilai.net/darpa-links-brain-waves-sensors-an...)

krapp 11y ago
>it had machines using human bodies as power sources whereas they could have used human brains for computational power leading to huge power efficiency. That was apparently the original intent, that the Matrix used human brains as a neural net. But the script was changed to "humans = batteries" because of fears audiences wouldn't be able to comprehend it[0]. [0]https://scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/19817/was-executive-meddling-the-cause-of-humans-as-batteries-in-the-matrix https://scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/19817/was-executiv...
- jonnathanson 11y ago
  The brains-as-the-Matrix conceit would have been much more powerful. Damn. Lots of symbolic value, and a statement on human culture, human nature, and complacency vs. untapped potential. I'm going to go ahead and pretend that's what actually happens. :)
  - krapp 11y ago
    It is possible that when Morpheus described the 'true purpose' of the Matrix, he didn't actually know what he was talking about. I think that's the excuse most people use. It was a best guess based on piecemeal information (and possibly deliberate misinformation by the machines.) Not actually canon but it'll do.
  - dspillett 11y ago
    Perhaps it is a misunderstanding on the part of the humans in the film. They could be mistaking the human brains powering the neural network by means of providing processing capacity for powering it by means of providing energy.
- Jun8 11y ago
  Thanks for the link, fascinating discussion in these answers. I found this very relevant to this point: http://scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/12223/why-did-the-machines-even-bother-with-a-matrix?rq=1 http://scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/12223/why-did-the-m.... One other problem with the humans as batteries thing (in addition to its inelegance) is that the machines could have used cows or pigs to much better effect. This comment wraps it up nicely: "All the machines ever wanted was to be left alone, not destroy humanity. I suppose this is the most humane solution they could think of"

by Jun8 11y ago

krapp 11y ago

>it had machines using human bodies as power sources whereas they could have used human brains for computational power leading to huge power efficiency. That was apparently the original intent, that the Matrix used human brains as a neural net. But the script was changed to "humans = batteries" because of fears audiences wouldn't be able to comprehend it[0]. [0]https://scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/19817/was-executive-meddling-the-cause-of-humans-as-batteries-in-the-matrix https://scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/19817/was-executiv...

jonnathanson 11y ago
The brains-as-the-Matrix conceit would have been much more powerful. Damn. Lots of symbolic value, and a statement on human culture, human nature, and complacency vs. untapped potential. I'm going to go ahead and pretend that's what actually happens. :)
- krapp 11y ago
  It is possible that when Morpheus described the 'true purpose' of the Matrix, he didn't actually know what he was talking about. I think that's the excuse most people use. It was a best guess based on piecemeal information (and possibly deliberate misinformation by the machines.) Not actually canon but it'll do.
- dspillett 11y ago
  Perhaps it is a misunderstanding on the part of the humans in the film. They could be mistaking the human brains powering the neural network by means of providing processing capacity for powering it by means of providing energy.
Jun8 11y ago
Thanks for the link, fascinating discussion in these answers. I found this very relevant to this point: http://scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/12223/why-did-the-machines-even-bother-with-a-matrix?rq=1 http://scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/12223/why-did-the-m.... One other problem with the humans as batteries thing (in addition to its inelegance) is that the machines could have used cows or pigs to much better effect. This comment wraps it up nicely: "All the machines ever wanted was to be left alone, not destroy humanity. I suppose this is the most humane solution they could think of"