---
title: "Could We Really Be Living in the Matrix? Here’s What Science Has to Say"
description: "A Matrix prequel is in the works, but the science on which the dystopian future rests has some scratching their heads."
date: "2017-03-21"
modified: "2017-03-21"
authors:
  - name: "Neil C. Bhavsar"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/neilbhavsar"
url: "https://futurism.com/in-light-of-the-next-matrix-movie-is-the-matrix-possible"
categories:
  - "Future Society"
tags:
  - "artificial intelligence"
  - "internet"
  - "matrix"
  - "warner bros"
---

# Could We Really Be Living in the Matrix? Here’s What Science Has to Say

![matrix internet artificial intelligence warner bros](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/matrix.png>)
*\<em\>Image: \<a href="http://www.freepik.com/free-photo/futuristic-background-with-green-letters_917448.htm#term=matrix&page=1&position=0" target="\_blank"\>freepik\</a\>\</em\>*

In the 1999 movie "The Matrix," the dystopian future is ruled by robots that have harnessed the energy generated by human bodies. Today, rumors that a prequel is in the works are swirling, and the ideas for how a society like this might come to be has us asking, "could humanity really be a sufficient power source for malevolent machines?"

According to the estimates of the Matrix character, Morpheus, the net output per human in energy is 315 W of power, and if the entire world's population is under control, that would mean 2 TW of power, equivalent to five times the output of *all* nuclear reactors on the planet! But in reality, the [potential for total human output is actually](<http://www.physlink.com/Education/AskExperts/ae420.cfm>) around 0.6 TW, and if we account for efficiency it is actually about 0.18 TW.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjeEFw4LF6g

Assuming that matrix is at least power-dependent as the internet, and[ internet ranges around 30 GW](<http://computer.howstuffworks.com/internet/basics/how-much-energy-does-internet-use3.htm>) of power, the calculations may possibly bring light to a matrix. But it wouldn't make sense, as the energy outputted by humans is contingent on energy inputted (food). So while we doubt the synthetic robots would be feeding a source of energy that they depend on, obfuscating the whole human battery concept — some are still concocting theories to make the Matrix work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSVlOAocn8E

Regardless of its scientific plausibility, we are looking forward to seeing the digital dystopia light up our screens once again.

## Author
Science today, science tomorrow, science forever.

### Author social links  
[Facebook](<https://www.facebook.com/Neilogen>)  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-c-bhavsar-033225118>)  
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