We Need To Discuss The Pros And Cons Of The "Black Mirror" San Junipero Concept | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

We Need To Discuss The Pros And Cons Of The "Black Mirror" San Junipero Concept

It's a pretty major decision, would you do it?

780
We Need To Discuss The Pros And Cons Of The "Black Mirror" San Junipero Concept
Torba.se

SPOILER ALERT: This article reveals some of the secrets behind the magical land of San Junipero.


The unique Netflix original series "Black Mirror" has stirred up a lot of conversation in the public and media. Named by Vogue as the potential "Twilight Zone of the digital age," the series consists of a number of somewhat unrelated episodes— each taking place in an alternate reality where a different form of life-altering technology exists.

Whether you're a fan of the show or not, there's one thing you can't deny: "Black Mirror" is intriguing. It challenges the viewer to think about how they would react to the positives and negatives of different technologies and if they would grow to love or hate them. The show's "San Junipero" episode, in particular, had me debating these questions...

"San Junipero" is a stand-out episode of Season 3. While most of the show's episodes focus on the dark side of technology, this episode focuses on a possibly positive technological advancement for the world. It tells the story of two characters who meet while visiting the town of San Junipero, a sort of man-made heaven that technology allows people to travel to after they pass away.


Although San Junipero only exists through technology, everything the people encounter there seems real to them. The distinct differences between this place and the real world are that people can seemingly decide to travel to the town during any decade they like, can opt to never be physically hurt or killed— and will always appear to be in their youth. It doesn't get much better than that, does it?

Although the lively, beach-side town exists primarily so that those who have already passed away can continue to feel as though they're living, people are allotted a certain amount of hours to visit San Junipero while still alive as well. This way, they can decide whether they would want to opt in or opt out of becoming a full-time San Junipero resident after they die instead of just be "gone," as one character puts it.

So, would you opt in? Would you give it a trial run? It would guarantee a harmless, eternal future. The episode also mentions that you can remove yourself from San Junipero and, thus, fully pass away. So if you ended up regretting your decision to stay you could leave at any time. It seems like a no-brainer! However, one character addresses the negatives of the San Junipero concept as she debates whether to pass over into the man-made heaven or to pass over into the unknown like her family did.


Although residents can remove themselves, it's not regret that main character Kelly fears— it's guilt. All of Kelly's family members either chose to opt out or didn't have the chance to choose before they passed away. For her, opting into San Junipero meant giving up the possibility of seeing her loved ones again in another afterlife and felt unfair to the ones who didn't get to choose. In this situation, the eternal San Junipero could not only be bittersweet but possibly heartbreaking.


Now let's rethink your decision. Would you opt to live in San Junipero? Would you give it a trial run? Would you go if your loved ones chose to opt out or didn't get the opportunity choose? Are you confident and loyal enough to your uphold your religious beliefs about a supposed afterlife to pass up a practically perfect and guaranteed afterlife? Who knows what technology could bring us in the future— especially if it means that when the time comes we'll have to make these types of decisions.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

791037
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

696904
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

The Importance Of Being A Good Person

An open letter to the good-hearted people.

1002576
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments