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HeadJack

Morpheus's headjack

A headjack was the term used to describe the small data port created on synthetically-grown humans who become connected to the neural-interactive virtual reality known as the Matrix.

Biology[]

Jacking In

The data probe used in Nebuchadnezzar

The headjacks were located at the base of the skull, just above where the neck meets the back of the head. Approximately 1 inch (2.54 cm) in diameter, it provided room within the otherwise close quarters of the human cranium for a data probe approximately 8 inches (20 cm) in length and 0.79 inches (2 cm) in diameter.

Fetus Pod

A fetus in a pod connected to a probe through the headjack

These were installed during the synthetic humans' fetal stages and altogether redirected the brain's signals into any data probe plugged into the headjack.

After their resurrection, Neo and Trinity's headjacks became noticeably different and more complex. Additional adapters can also be seen on the back of their heads presumably to further control the two. [1]

Purpose[]

The headjack was the interface used to primarily connect to the Matrix. More than just connecting to the Matrix, however, the headjack was also used by redpills to connect to any compatible simulated reality like the Construct. Once a redpill was connected to either the Matrix or to similar constructs, the headjack could then be used to upload data directly into the human brain. This was used by the Resistance to great effect, uploading instructional information to support agents during training and even during mission proper. Some examples of the upload-able information used by the operatives were gun handling, a range of self defense and martial arts techniques, and helicopter piloting.[2]

The manner by which the headjack and data probe worked had not been sufficiently described. But communication by the headjack was probably a mixture of electrical and electromagnetic transmissions, where the headjack was the central interface, with perhaps thousands of tiny connectors or electrodes that meld into and throughout the synthetic brain, or woven through the central nervous system at the brain stem.

Common usage[]

Bluepills[]

Bluepills, human beings still hardwired to the Matrix via pods in the power plant, had their headjacks in non-stop use and did not know of its existence, effectively imprisoning bluepills inside the Matrix. As humanity was only expected to be disconnected from the Matrix upon death, the pod's data probe was very securely attached to the headjack.

Redpills[]

When redpills initially wake up from the Matrix, a docbot is summoned to their pods in order to facilitate their ejection and supposed liquefaction. The ejection is done with the docbot first pulling out the pod's data probe from the occupant's headjack. It afterwards lifts the human away from the pod to forcefully disconnect the rest of the pod's numerous cables from the various ports found along the occupant's synthetic body. The redpill, assumed dead if not already dying, is then flushed into the liquefaction facilities.

Jacking in[]

Main article: Jacking in

Redpills continued to use their headjacks to reconnect and access the Matrix for periodic missions as part of their rebellion against the Machines. This was done via data probes similar to those found in pods, but less securely attached, only being secure enough to prevent accidental removal. When the headjack was not being used, it was simply left as is.

The initial reinsertion of a data probe into a headjack did not appear to be an altogether pleasant sensation, though not necessarily painful.[3]

When an individual had a headjack inserted and was in the Matrix or any other virtual location, their body was vulnerable to physical harm and tampering. Notably, if a headjack was removed by somebody in the Real World before the individual could exit using a hardline, they suffered instantaneous death by unknown causes, presumably massive neural damage, resulting to the redpill's avatar in the Matrix simply slumping over.

Switch and Apoc of the Nebuchadnezzar crew suffered instantaneous deaths at the hands of Cypher who, while the two were still in the Matrix, forcefully disconnected the data probes from their headjacks, instantly killing them both in the Real World; their avatars simply collapsing dead inside the Matrix without disappearing. This is in contract to dying from inside the Matrix which results to the avatar disappearing.

Trivia[]

  • As implied in the original script of The Matrix, the humans not only provide electrical power, but their brains become part of a massive biocomputing cluster that generates and maintains much of the Matrix itself.

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. The Matrix Resurrections
  2. The Matrix
  3. Morpheus warned Neo that the insertion of the data probe into his headjack for the first time outside the pod would "feel a little weird."
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