[pitched]

Maybe The Matrix wasn’t the right power fantasy to compare it to? How about the DBZ over-9000 meme instead because he does have a big group of friends that help?

The problem with power fantasies is that they don’t really show all sides of the argument. If the intentions of moochers is a social safety net and the intention of the looters is infrastructure maintenance, those aren’t villains.

[cryptResonator]

I understand what you are trying to say, but I don't think it is the correct interpretation of Ayn Rand. There is no power fantasy. She is quite adamant that nobody should ever try to hold power over another individual. Again, it is the antagonists who are trying to manipulate the wills of others and hold power over other people. The group of friends helps by exchanging money for good and services. This is another theme. The protagonists ask only for fair compensation for their efforts, not favors. The antagonists try to replace this system with a group dynamic where 'who you know' and 'who can do what favor for who' replaces business. To Ayn Rand this is very unhealthy and leads to destruction. If a people have to mooch to build a social safety net, and loot to maintain infrastructure, then they are villains.