Black Mirror - Black Museum (Part 3 in a series)

My final review for Black Mirror is Black Museum. This episode takes a controversial look at Utopian solutions to problems we face today. It has been the goal of humans for the past 5000 years to create Utopian societies. In order to have this type of society, we have to figure how to manage deviant behaviors. Black Museum explores our current fascination with criminal behavior.

The Black Museum is a combination of science fiction and realistic fiction. It delves into the darkest parts of our soul. What struck me while watching this is the irony of this show being on Netflix. A streaming service that profits from the same misery that this episode explores. We give awards and accolades for Making of a Murder similar to the Museum of artifacts of criminal injustice.

It might seem to be a stretch that one person can be a part of many miscarriages of justice, however look at our current political climate. One person can be indicted for a series of events that impacts all of us. It leaves people wanting justice against those who harm so many. Criminal Justice is similar to big Pharma. Recidivism is an allusion when profit is concerned, leaving many to want fairness and equality for family members that were victims of such a system.

Dark and complex, Black Museum represents the spirit of parallel universes to explore our own. In the coming weeks, I will have an additional 3 episodes to recommend. Black Mirror successfully does what many have failed to do in the past, and that is bring the spirit of the Twilight Zone to our modern world.

Black Mirror - Nosedive (Part 2 in a Series)

Black Mirror's Nosedive explores the increasing dependency rating systems of social media by humans to help shape our view of the world. We currently live in a world in which the 5 star rating system is currently used to shape how we see a business or event. When you search a business on Google, you can see the ratings. The same for FB or YELP. People can rate a business or event.

Beyond the rating, is a dark side. People with mental health issues can anonymously berate a business or event. 1 star and a degrading remark based on an unstable reaction to an experience. The irrational can cut like a knife on how people perceive a business, especially if they are new. 

What would happen when we create a system for humans being rated?  Would we apply the rating systems to privileges and access to class systems? This episode addresses the peril that can be caused by a virtual caste system. The episode explores how such a system can impact human development. From early childhood to adulthood, the rating system impacts self-worth.

When you think about it, this is an extension of the means tested society that exists today. We constantly reinforce self-worth from age 3 to adulthood. Children at identified and placed in programs that shape their reality and perception. Poor and rich are divided by school placement. Race and gender has evaluative processes from early on that determine self-worth. Nosedive warns us of a world that extends the reach of shaping our perception of who we are supposed to be in the world we live in. 

Another aspect this episode that is critically important is the story of the Truck Driver. A glimpse into the future of healthcare. Pay close attention to means testing care. We already have started to incorporate the philosophy of rating systems into our current healthcare system. A dark warning regarding the direction we are heading. 

Shaping is a huge part of rating systems. The intent of information sharing via ratings helps create a society that is extremely impersonal. We become detached from allowances for bad luck, or tragic events that impact a human life. You are only as good as your last rating, and this is very dangerous. 

Black Mirror - Shut Up and Dance (Part 1 of a 3 part Series)

Finally, there is a  series that brought the Twilight Zone into  the modern age. My daughter talked me into checking out Black Mirror on Netflix. I am skeptical, but I gave a shot.To my surprise, the series brought the spirit of the Twilight Zone, and examined contemporary issues surrounding technology.

Many episodes expose how our lives have been conditioned to revolve around algorithms. Ironically, Netflix is a great example when you think about it. It recommends movies that you "might" like based on algorithms created by your viewing. Patterns of behavior guided by behavior analysis. This is the world we live in, and their is a dark side. For this reason, I am going to suggest 3 episodes from the series that are a must watch.

Shut Up and Dance takes us down the dark side of a carefully planned algorithm. The episode consists of vignettes of technology impacted interactions among individuals. They will cross paths based on a series of algorithms that encourage them to commit crimes or be shamed for personal indiscretions. This was a common story line in the Twilight Zone. Ultimately, it is easy to manipulate human behavior towards a dark path.

Technology has a dark side, that can utilize our brain's sub-conscious layers that lead to dark thoughts. This episode captures how men, are easily manipulated by their poor choices exposed by technology. While set in the future, we can use technology today to have similar results. The parallel universe of the Black Mirror is why I love this series, because similar to the Twilight Zone, the dangers that exist in the future are currently here today. We just have to recognize them.