The big reveal in 1999’s The Matrix is that humans are no longer born, they are grown. They are harvested for the singular purpose of powering a race of machines. “The Matrix is a computer-generated dream world built to keep us under control,” says Morpheus, “in order to change a human being into this.”

But how much energy would it take to power The Matrix, and could all those sweet, sweet BTUS provide it?

In my latest Because Science, I’m checking Morpheus’ numbers and making a few estimations of my own while figuring out if humans are a viable energy source. Even if you don’t like math, be sure not to dodge this episode! (See what I did there? I used a line from the movie to self-promote a piece of content that…barf.jpeg.)

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