ABSTRACT
As we pointed out in the Introduction, the mainstream success of the Wachowski brothers’ movie trilogy has ensured that the notion of the Matrix has strong popculture connotations. In the preceding chapters, by way of contrast, we have drawn upon various theorists of technological change in order to emphasize the richer conceptual depth that can be found within the m/Matrix distinction. In this chapter we prepare for Part II’s focus upon the cultural implications of these rather pessimistic theories of technological change. We expand upon the issues of the previous chapters using the insights of German media theorist Friedrich Kittler, whose impact has yet to be fully felt in cultural studies. His work is a dense and detailed mediation on the interface between media and culture, combining the erratic insights of McLuhan with the theoretical rigour of French post-structuralism.
