Matrix Learning: When Science Fiction Collides with Real Life

Have you ever heard about Matrix Learning? I must admit that I first heard the term only a few days ago. I was reading the novel, Game Changer by Douglas E. Richards, when I first learned about the concept of matrix learning. The Complete Matrix TrilogyI naively thought that it was pure science fiction.

The term is coined after the Matrix movie, starring Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne. In the movie, Keanu Reeves instantly learns kung fu. In Game Changer, the Israelis have developed a technology, where you can upload years of knowledge, in a matter of hours, so an individual can instantly develop expertise in many fields. Matrix Learning is deep learning, and broad learning.

In the story, only the brightest of the brightest have access to this technology. Those are the people who the government select to benefit from the technology.

“In a well-known scene from The Matrix, Neo (played by Keanu Reeves) lies down in a high-tech dentist’s chair and straps on a wild array of electrodes, downloading a series of martial arts training programs into his brain. Apparently—if the mechanics can be parsed—the information is transferred via the visual cortex. Afterward, he blinks his eyes open and speaks the words geeks have been quoting ever since: “I know kung fu.” Discover Magazine”

Further Reading

Matrix Learning (Discover Magazine article)

The Allure of ‘Matrix-Style Learning'

Science Fiction or Fact: Instant, ‘Matrix'-like Learning

Matrix Learning and Game Changer by Douglas E. Richards

In the novel, the neuroscientist, Dmitri Kovonov, who is instrumental in developing the technology, uses himself as one of the test cases, but he goes overboard. Over time, he starts to go mad, committing horrific crimes. Kovonov is a Russian Jew. He plants false memories inside the brain of Kevin Quinn, a Secret Service agent. The memories cause Quinn to attempt to assassinate the US president. Dmitri Kovonov builds on the work of Rachel Howard, the preeminent American neuroscientist.

The Israelis admit to the Americans that they have such a technology, because they need help to capture Dmitri Kovonov. It’s embarrassing for them to admit what happened to Kevin Quinn, as well a to a couple of their agents. The Israeli Prime Minister wants access to Rachel Howard to help them undo some of what Kovonov did, so all the brightest minds do not go insane. Game Changer by Douglas E. Richards is a page turner. But now that I know that the technology is strictly not science fiction, I find myself feeling very anxious.

Matrix Learning: Learning Multiple Disciplines

Matrix Learning is not ready for commercialization yet. And a lot more research is needed. But I appreciated learning about it. It's good to understand where science fiction and reality intersect. This reminds me once again, of the importance of reading outside of your discipline. When you learn your niche inside out, it's important to move over to adjacent niches, and start to learn them. This makes you more creative because you are expanding your knowledge base.

When Matrix Learning is ready for commercialization, would you want knowledge uploaded into your brain? Imagine gaining deep expertise in a variety of disciplines. Should everyone have access to the technology? Should some citizens get left behind? Who decides who gets the broad and deep knowledge? Should it be your government? What are some of the negatives of the technology. In Game Changer, one of the main characters, Rachel Howard touches on some of the negatives of Matrix Learning in her lecture. The book is definitely worth the read.

After reading Game Changer by Douglas E. Richards, I was reminded why it’s important to read science fiction. Science fiction is often not far removed from reality. In the new Strategic Reading Challenge, each week, I recommend that participants read a technology article. Two topics that are worth becoming knowledgeable about are matrix learning and virtual reality. At a recent Girl Geeks Toronto event, speaker Ana Serrano predicted that the next likely frontier in virtual reality is education. Will you be ready?

Douglas E. Richards, the author of Game Changer recommends a few books in his novel. The are some of the books he read before writing Game Changer. I plan to read them at some point in early 2017.

Incognito: The Secret Lives Of The Brain

The Brain: The Story of You

The Seven Sins of Memory

Douglas Richards Book Recommendations

Game ChangerIncognitoThe BrainThe Seven Sins of Memory

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Douglas Richards Books

 Wired Game Changer Split Second MindWar (Nick Hall Book 3) Mind's Eye (Nick Hall Book 1) The Cure Quantum Lens Amped BrainWeb (Nick Hall Book 2) Nick Hall (3 Book Series) Wired (2 Book Series) The Prometheus Project: Trapped (Volume 1) The Prometheus Project: Captured (Volume 2)

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