Welcome to Our Real Matrix

By Tom Arant

Did you know that we (and all life) are unknowingly enslaved? That what you think is reality has little to do with the truth? In these ways, our existence is like the virtual reality in the movie, The Matrix.

The differences are more overwhelming, including that our Real Matrix emerged through biological processes without any intention nor direction (i.e., no sentient machines), and that there is no escape through taking a Red Pill.

Welcome to Our Real Matrix proves all this using accepted science taken to its logical conclusion.

This discussion guide was shared and sponsored in partnership with Dartfrog.

Book club questions for Welcome to Our Real Matrix by Tom Arant

Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.

What you gain from reading a book can be influenced by what category you put it in. While you were reading this book, how did you think of it? As an evolutionary biology book? Psychology? Philosophy or atheism? The Matrix fan art or self-help? How might your perspective have affected your reading?

Did you find any scientific or logical errors in the argument demonstrating the existence of our Real Matrix? If so, what are they? If not, do you agree with the author’s conclusion about the existence of the Real Matrix? Why or why not?

The author gives you three ways to read the book – basically degrees of trust and investment. Which did you choose and why? How do you think your choice affected what you got out of the book?

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Some of the science sections, particularly Abiogenesis, are complex. Were there parts that went over your head that you would like to discuss with the group? In your opinion, did the thoroughness contribute to or detract from the book’s fundamental argument?

Are you a fan of The Matrix? Did you find the analogy with our Real Matrix helpful? And do you think your level of movie fanaticism (or lack thereof) had any impact on your understanding and acceptance of the book?

Readers of the book are given only two choices – take the Blue Pill and forget all about the Real Matrix, or take the Purple Pill, accept the existence of the Real Matrix, and live life intentionally within it. What would you choose? Why? What’s next?

Did you find the introduction to relevant philosophies – Buddhism, Stoicism, and Existentialism – helpful in your personal challenge of choosing to consciously live within our Real Matrix? Do you study other philosophies that you find helpful in your journey?

Do you agree that we are all "fooled, fooled, fooled?” If so, what life choices remain? If not, why not?

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