justanotherguySenior Contributor
Agent Smith (re Matrix films) as allegory for the mental health system
One thing about The Matrix films that puzzled me was the character Agent Smith. I could never work out why he was included other than as a diversion from a simple conspiracy theory/ goodies vs baddies shoot 'em up. As the films went on it became apparent he was the real problem for all involved.
The kind of absolute power that Smith became aware of is the same as I witnessed in the mental health system. Much as Smith created clones of himself with a physical process, the medication made me feel the same - often I felt like little more than a clone. The mental health system seemed to have no interest in me as a person other than somebody to fit into their narrative.
The proliferation of psych studies as a part of society seems to fit the bill nicely. Suddenly everyone is buying into psychology as if digging into people's brains will somehow solve everything, without regard to the consequences. I'm sure there's merit in understanding psychology to an extent but mostly it seems to only exist to propogate itself as a meme - just like in the film.
