So, MGS2 receives a LOT of grief for being centered on the character of Raiden, moving Solid Snake to the side, and having a weird, abrupt ending - yada-yada. I loved it, but that's a post for another day, if at all. Who cares. The important thing to remember here, is that the "Big-Bad" of MGS2 wasn't a nuclear-equipped walking battle tank, but a hidden, stealthy and far more insidious enemy - Thought Control. Specifically, thought control via the digital media, objectified in Metal Gear Arsenal. Turns out, maybe Raiden wasn't as successful against The Sons of Liberty as he's hoped...

Eli Paiser Talks Online Filter Bubbles at TED I'd embed it for you, but it doesn't seem to be working. Ugh.


MGS2 came out in 2001. Much like George Orwell's prophetic visions of newspeak (WTF, LOL, OMFG!!! Sort of...), Hideo Kojima had a vision as well, one that is decidedly more accurate and strangely more accepted, even preferred by some. Hate Raiden all you want - the battle he fought was lost before it began, because he was fighting the whole of human thought, and the willingness some may have to be lead down a path of comfort at the expense of truth or challenge. And much like Raiden was thrust into a mirrored situation based on Solid Snake's exploits, we have out own battle to fight, which mirrors Raiden's - A battle for information, wisdom, and ultimately, our very minds.