Review: Welcome to Our Real Matrix by Tom Arant

A proposed restructuring to how we think about and experience our perception of reality, Welcome to Our Real Matrix: One With No Escape by Tom Arant presents a powerful argument that will leave some readers questioning everything, in this eyebrow-raising, thought-provoking probe of reality.

The author makes it very clear upfront that the intended audience of this book is everyone, so he defines each technical term he uses and breaks down scientific concepts to their most simplistic foundation. The dissection of teleology, and its habit of invading discussions of the scientifically provable world, is a highlight at the front of the book, giving readers a clear view into the author’s motives and boundaries. The transparency of the writer – including his personal beliefs, qualifications, and thought processes – gives the writing ample credibility; Arant is trying to make a point, but not push an agenda.

Perhaps more importantly, he states, “This book is founded on materialism and physicalism – that everything (in theory) can be shown to be based on physical processes.” In this way, Arant’s “Real Matrix,” which initially seems like a heady and abstract idea, becomes more tangible. By grounding the ideas he is about to present in demonstrable fact, even the more “out there” claims that follow, the concepts feel more within reach. Though Arant’s thesis may feel radical, his specific critiques and arguments against established science hold water, making his ultimate claim about our consciousness all the more intriguing.

The in-depth explorations of abiogenesis, as well as the requisite chemistry and biology to go with it, are somewhat dense and difficult for non-scientific minds, but there are also brain-expanding passages that veer into philosophy, history, sociology, evolutionary theory, and anthropology, among others. The middle section of the book, which explicitly details the anatomical, behavioral, evolutionary, and adaptational foundations of his argument, may be more specialized than some readers need, but there are valuable passages of commentary in there too. The chapter on Evolution, and some of the frustrating aspects of what is widely accepted as fact in evolutionary studies, is particularly eye-opening.

There are some slips in the writing, and some overly informal stretches that slightly undercut the book’s authority. There is nothing wrong with revealing some personality in your writing, but in the midst of a dense or highly academic explanation, the injection of humor or off-the-cuff commentary can feel distracting. The accessible nature of the book is perhaps its strongest element, but there are a few areas where the balance between authoritative and conversational leans too far toward the latter. Furthermore, starting subsections with a quote is a good tone-setting choice, but the connection between the words and the content that follows isn’t always clear. On a purely technical level, however, the editing is impressively sharp, with almost zero mistakes, and a consistently patient pace from start to finish.

From Platonic behavioral analyses and the fine nuances of DNA replication, to sensorial reception in living things and the individual realities created by our own biochemical processes, this book takes readers on a comprehensive and unpredictable route through science, philosophy, and the history of cognition. Regardless of your level of expertise, there are brilliant gems of insight buried within these pages, and a compelling argument for challenging the paradigm of our shared reality.