Is Humanity a Virus? How stories influence our perception and society

In 1999, the first Matrix movie made its debut. The following is one of the most famous quotes and, over the years, it has been used as a reference point for many modern ideologies. And no, I'm not talking about the red and blue pill. I'm talking about this one, by Agent Smith: "I'd like to share a revelation that I've had during my time here. It came to me when I tried to classify your species and I realized that you're not actually mammals. Every mammal on this planet instinctively develops a natural equilibrium with the surrounding environment but you humans do not. You move to an area and you multiply and multiply until every natural resource is consumed and the only way you can survive is to spread to another area. There is another organism on this planet that follows the same pattern. Do you know what it is? A virus. Human beings are a disease, a cancer of this planet. You're a plague and we are the cure."

An idea is like a Virus: it spreads mindlessly.

This quote, while it makes sense for a villain like Agent Smith, is a horrible view of the world. But here's the problem. Most people took this quote, which shows a very limited and dark view of humanity, and used it over and over again in stories, internet posts and even the news. The idea of humanity as a virus for the planet has become more and more popular. It's a simple idea that now permeates more than just the villain of a popular movie, but it permeates stories, minds and ideologies.

An idea can shape or destroy lives.

This is where fictional stories (and art in general) become a tool for creation and destruction. Look at how animal activists and environmentalists talk about humanity. Do they remind you of the quote from Agent Smith? And how about woke people when, in order to impose their ideologies and demand rights, they talk about the healthier side of humanity that has better values? There's a seed of hatred there that has been fertilized by Agent Smith's quote and all the ideologies that spawned from it. And it's not just words: these activists are systematically damaging people, monuments and society. Am I saying that we must not have characters and quotes like this in stories and art? Of course not. But being aware of how powerful a work of art gives you perspective on the responsibilities an artist has towards humanity.