In the United States, one could wallow through a lot of what I call, “trash,” in the vast eclectic collection that is popular streaming service Netflix. One can range from a decently interesting documentary about the spiritual/tribal implications of volcanoes to Ernest Saves Christmas. It is an interesting balance, yet they don’t seem to have any HBO shows which means catching up with Game of Thrones is highly unlikely for your humble writer. Netflix has obtained the rights to British Science Fiction Anthology series Black Mirror and is now even producing more episodes with a third season debuting just last October.
A great way to describe what this series is exactly is like a next generation The Twilight Zone (but don’t completely limit it to this idea!!). Every episode introduces the viewer to a new set of characters, new setting, and a new plot/dilemma that often is correlated with the series’ overall theme. This being the detriments that technology and media are causing in everyday life. Episodes can range from flat-out horror/thriller to off-beat comedy to a complete science fiction “mind-fuck." The series is indeed a satire even when the content becomes extreme. Episodes, however, do not tend to havehappy endings, but will often tend to be morose and existential.
Social Theorist Thorstein Veblen coined the term "Technological Determinism, " which describes the idea that technology influences social structures and values–not the other way around. This can be perceived as a negative ideal in comparison to the analysis of the social construction of technology or how we influence how technology in everyday society. Are we controlling technology or has technology begun to control us?
It is safe to assume that Black Mirror creator, Charlie Brooker, is a cynic within society today. The series is not subtle with its themes, to say the least. Every episode is a criticism of human nature in the digital age. The bright yet shallow episode, “Nosedive," featuring the talented Bryce Dallas Howard, can be considered the most lighthearted episode of the series with it being an offbeat analysis of a society consumed by social media rankings (I’m probably about a 3.2). Howard’s character needs a 4.5 and above to afford a fine piece of futuristic real estate and believes her shallow childhood friend’s wedding will help her achieve the ranking she needs. The episode is laden with excellent sets and even advisors to help people up their rank on social media (Imagine hiring someone who advises you on how to get more retweets!!!) While the episode is funny as Howard descends to insanity in a world consumed by vanity it is terrifying. While it is fiction, I personally felt reality could descend into this shallow hell if future generations allow it. Social media carries a lot of weight in modern society whether one would like to admit it or not.
Another notable entry is the Christmas special “White Christmas” featuring the great Jon Hamm. In typical Black Mirror fashion, it is not a cheery piece of fiction with musical renditions of old Bing Crosby songs. “Blocking”, in vein of blocking a person on Facebook, is possible in the modern world In this episode so once one blocks the other, they become blank white static figures to one another while only emitting only white noise. The episode also introduces the confliction of artificial intelligence and technology obtaining a human consciousness. Is torturing A.I. beings mentally equal to doing the same to a human being (i.e. making them listen to the same song alone for what feels like a thousand years). What are the qualms with creating a computerized copy of ourselves and turning them into essential slaves?
This series is not what one would call to be a comforting show, to say the least. It causes unease as Brooker forces the viewer to examine a hyperbolic view of the modern world. Despite the hyperbolic nature of the series one can really believe that the events in the episode can really happen. Has technology made us shallower? Are we losing our compassion? These are some questions one made might ask themselves. As technology evolves in gigantic leaps year by year one must be able to realize that, like anything else, there will always be some sort of setback. That is a key part of human nature. Humans are far from perfect. Technology changing reality and even prolonging life will never be one hundred percent perfect. Utopias are impossible to create and maintain.
