What is a Matrix?

We have all heard the term "matrix" so much it has become meaningless and colloquial.

A matrix is a set of rows and columns which are used in mathematical formula. If you use excel to manage data you are making matrices. Different types of matrices organize data in special ways to do simple math faster... Let's talk about one way social matrices could be applied to consumer decisions.

We can start with a simple problem. Minimum wage workers only have $5 to spend per meal and are working weekends and weekdays until 7PM. Where will they spend their money? Let's combine a matrix and a decision tree.

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Instead of random rows and columns of numbers. Let's do a thought-experiment and think about more qualitative data variables. For example,

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Is it coming together now?

People say we are stuck "in the matrix" because it's true! If you only have X, Y and Z options available - that is your matrix. To escape the matrix you need to invent new options.

To successfully escape the matrix is to come up with functional solutions and this usually involves identifying synergies between systems which were previously exclusive.

What about Steemit and Facebook ?

These systems are matrices for information. The stuff you read and see becomes the stuff you think about.

As silly as it might sound - Social media is a microcosm of life. These tools end up playing a very subconscious and dominant role our social, economical and political mindsets. When these platforms are turned into information monopolies they cease to foster or reward independent thought.

“No one is going to give you the education you need to overthrow them. Nobody is going to teach you your true history, teach you your true heroes, if they know that that knowledge will help set you free.”

― Assata Shakur

Valuing Your Time

Social media has become so popular that it has become a major source of income for youtubers, bloggers and other social media entrepreneurs.

However, many of these systems are still set-up to monopolize information. Censorship, promoted advertising and algorithms use data to affect recommended videos, wall-feeds, search results and other pieces of your reality which can be psychologically harmful.

Think about facebook's experimentation of users by putting them on "happy" and "sad" lists to filter out posts of either category and see how it affected their moods - this is unethical. While ultimately we must learn to take our emotions into our own hands - How many drug addictions, suicides and other socially destructive acts might have be linked to this manipulative behavior by facebook?

This is not an issue for creative-types. It is a fundamental issue for the sustainable future of all human-kind.

If we do not help our friends migrate to new and diverse social media outlets which value content we are losing a serious battle. If all your friends are on one platform you are stuck in that social matrix.

We have the opportunity to value the content that we create and view in a way we never have before and we should exercise that right at every opportunity.

Thank you for reading and don't forget to check out our other steemit articles. Follow and share if you dig it!

Minimum Requirements for Eco-locals.com
Holistic Rating System on Eco-locals.com
Eco-$aver Potlucks
Why do we need Sustainability Rating Systems and Marketplaces?

Does it make sense? Let us know your insights, feedback and criticisms - this is a great tool for discussion. Try and come up with your own matrices or see if you can use a matrix to ESCAPE a matrix! We'll probably do more posts on this :)

Thanks for your time!