Ever had one of those days where something just feels… off? Like maybe, just maybe, there’s a glitch in the matrix? I’m not talking about seeing black cats cross your path twice (although that would be pretty nerve-wracking). I’m talking about those tiny, weird moments where life seems to stutter—when your phone screen freezes mid-scroll or you could swear you put your keys on the table, only to find them in the fridge. It’s like the universe took a hiccup and we all have to play along.

And then, there are the days when you feel a bit like Dave in 2001: A Space Odyssey, desperately trying to get the metaphorical door open. “Close the pod bay door, HAL,” you plead to whatever technology is supposed to be making your life easier. But HAL (or Siri, or Alexa, or Google Assistant) refuses, leaving you locked out of your own plans, or maybe just locked out of your sanity for a hot minute.

What’s fascinating about these two pop culture gems—one that suggests we’re living in a simulation and the other that warns against giving too much power to machines—is how they speak to modern life. We are surrounded by technology that sometimes feels too smart for our own good, and other times, it’s just a glitchy mess that refuses to cooperate.

But here’s the thing: maybe we need these glitches and locked doors. Maybe they’re little reminders to pause, laugh, and not take everything so seriously. Sure, we can feel like we’re at the mercy of forces beyond our control (looking at you, HAL), but ultimately, we’re still the ones running the show. After all, even in the matrix, you can always hit reset, right?