This is a genuine question, as every time I have an argument about this with someone they bring a point so utterly stupid that it leaves me stumped…
This is a genuine question, as every time I have an argument about this with someone they bring a point so utterly stupid that it leaves me stumped…
In The Matrix (1999) the protaganist takes a red pill, discovers he’s been living in a simulation, and what the world is the really like.
‘Red pill’ has been co-opted by various far right movements to mean someone finally sees the ‘truth’.
Most commonly it’s used by incels and misogynists. Think Andrew Tate and various pickup artist influencers.
Good grief, that’s a bit of a stretch.
Oh, but it gets better than that.
The Wachowskis, who directed the Matrix and transitioned, have admitted that the Matrix is actually in large part a trans allegory. Apparently one the pills used to transition was literally a red pill.
Which is why, if I remember correctly, when at one point Ivanka Trump and Elon Musk tweeted about taking the red pill, one of the Wachowskis replied that they should go fuck themselves.
Ah, what a time to be alive.
That moment was probably peak social media. Along with Lewinski winning the internet with that word play joke.
Source?
The work is not exactly subtle if you are even casually familiar with aspects of the trans experience.
https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-53692435
Here’s what one of the hormone pills used to transition looked like in the 90s:
https://i.imgur.com/PWHnOop.jpg
And some further reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Matrix#Transgender_themes