A simple and traditional virtual space are pictorial images or televisions commercials- mediums that capture a space to represent the real, but are merely doctored or set up scenarios. Many people often ask the question, "Is that real?" but they never really ask themselves what "real" actually is. This reminded me of Jean Baudrillard's concept of the simulacra and simulations. He claims we are living in a hyperreality, much like Neo's, where reality does not actually exist--the boundary between the artificial and the real has merged. All images are actually reproduced constructions of what we perceive to be reality. Like the shadows on Plato's wall and the simulated world in the Matrix, it is difficult for individuals to clearly tell or realize what is artificial and what is real. The virtual places in images, advertisements, commercials and so on, whether photoshopped, doctored, or edited, are meant to reflect physical realities in the "real world," but are many times computer- generated. The advancements of technology often make us forget this notion, and we will still accept the image as a true. For example, there have been controversy surrounding heavily doctored and photoshopped images of models, whose increasingly flawless characteristics and barbie-like body measurements are unachievable to the average individual.  However, this particular look has become an end-goal for many young girls, who see such an image and believe it is reachable, when in truth, it is artificially constructed through modern tools of technology.

 Unfortunately, unlike Neo, it is not as easy to escape from the Matrix by just taking a pill. The modern advancements of media and our current over-simulated environment, which we perceive as "real" , make it difficult to view ourselves and our society through a true, clear lens. I would suggest detaching oneself from as much media and technology as possible,  but that would, in turn, also move oneself further and further from society as a whole. I don't know if escaping the "Matrix" and taking advantage of all that technology has to offer is possible. There are compromises people would have to make. For instance, as much as I have been convinced to buy one, I still do not own a smart phone. At times, this can be very inconvenient, but it prevents me from being over-simulated, living in the virtual spaces of my phone 24/7.  There are many individuals who do not have a Facebook account or are part of an online community. Although they are experiencing a sense of liberated detachment from these virtual, unreal spaces, they are still missing out on the evolving technologies that our society has to offer.