…as the driver of a 2004 Toyota Matrix, I would like to state that, at no time in the past, has my car EVER demonstrated signs of sentience, free will, mad consciousness, or the desire to speed away of its own accord from kung-fu ghosts and well-dressed machines. Our expressways can only WISH they were so exciting!
The accelerator pedal has never stuck to the floor, and the car has never decided to accelerate ahead at warp 7 without the approval of my very large lead foot.
Now, I’m always open to the possibility that my Matrix WILL become sentient at some point in the future, in a 2001/HAL-style, multi-dimensional fit. The Japanese are VERY clever, in a pseudo-Cylon way, and I wouldn’t doubt it was beyond the reach of their disciplined, communal, insane genius.
But I haven’t seen any black monoliths recently…nor has my car developed a glowing back-and-forth red evil eye. So let’s put that thought on the back-burner, shall we…?
