[EwanG]

I'm not sure "The Matrix" was meant to be a How-To Manual... because this sure feels like the first step to humans in a tube.

[DevX101]

The Matrix official canon is that humans were being used for energy, which didn’t really make sense until you interpret that as using humans as highly efficient information processors. This company does awfully seem like step 0 here.

[HappySweeney]

The original story had the AI processing all done on the 90% of our brains we don't use (ignoring that particular bit of bs), but Warner gonna Warner.

[dwheeler]

I think there is a plausible argument, believe it or not. See my essay "Why are Humans used as Batteries (a power source) in the Matrix?" https://dwheeler.com/essays/humans-batteries-matrix.html

Abstract: "In the fictional world of The Matrix, I propose that the machines might use the humans as a power source (as “batteries”) not because the humans are a good power source, but because doing this allows the machines to avoid committing genocide - as would otherwise be required by their laws. This compromise could have been necessary to prevent a machine world civil war."

[bell-cot]

My impression is that you can rent actual live humans, for far less than $500/month, if you're not picky about their circumstances or locations.

[CatWChainsaw]

Every good bubble-bro knows that Don't Create The Torment Nexus was clearly an instruction manual. :)