Black Mirror is a British sci-fi TV series created in 2011.
The main subject of the show is to make us aware of how dangerous the
uncontrolled growth of new technology can be. As you will see in a moment,
consequences are pretty disturbing.
Do you remember a presentation made by Denys Dorokhov about Boston Dynamics and their robots? These machines are amazing, they learn and gather the knowledge really fast, a lot faster than we do. In one of the episodes, scientists have created a big colony of mechanical bees to avoid the CCD – Colony Collapse Disorder, which occurs when worker bees disappear and leave behind all the food, queen etc.
Do you remember a presentation made by Denys Dorokhov about Boston Dynamics and their robots? These machines are amazing, they learn and gather the knowledge really fast, a lot faster than we do. In one of the episodes, scientists have created a big colony of mechanical bees to avoid the CCD – Colony Collapse Disorder, which occurs when worker bees disappear and leave behind all the food, queen etc.
Overall idea was great, but
as you know – there is a possibility, that robots can be hacked. Some anonymous
programmer took the control of the whole hive and started to kill people. Could
you imagine how destructive it is? You don’t need any special rifles or hitmans
to kill some important person. Just one barely visible bee and that’s it.
Of course I wouldn’t tell you that without a reason. About
six months ago, company named Draper created a genetically modified cyborg
dragonfly called DragonflEye. Insect carries a small cybernetic backpack, which
interfaces directly with the dragonfly’s nervous system to control it. What’s
more interesting, it uses solar panels and gains enough energy to power itself.
Does it sound familiar to you?
Nowadays, gaming world is growing rapidly. We’ve got virtual
reality(Oculus, HTC Vive etc.), augmented reality(Microsoft Hololens), but have
you ever thought how could it be to be in the game? I mean your body,
personality – just you.
With all the given examples, I’d like to talk with you about the Black Mirror.
Have you ever seen any episode? If yes, did you like it? Which is your favorite one?
Do you think that Black Mirror has the intended effect and managed to make people aware of danger?
Sources:
https://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/drones/drapers-genetically-modified-cyborg-dragonfleye-takes-flight
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colony_collapse_disorder
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Mirror
Comments
I've seen some episodes. As for me, they are very different, and there are ones I really liked, and some were neither interesting nor with good story.
I liked the one mentioned above, ep6 se03. I liked ep04se03 - San Junipero. There was shown an interesting fision of future and it makes you think about it. If you would like to have such opportuinity and if you would use it.
Episode I liked the most was ep01se02 - Be Right Back. It really made me think and I lead to a discussion with other peopole. Is thing we want at the moment really good? Or can't we just deal with reality and we are looking for something to lie ourselves? Can we lie ourselves forever?
Have you seen any of episodes I mentioned here? Did you also like them? Do you agree with me?
Yes, I've seen all of them. I'm a big fan of this show :D.
Talking about San Junipero episode - I have to tell you, that it is an amazing opportunity. If I were the main character, I would definitely choose it.
When I was watching the Be Right Back episode, I was kinda concerned. For a moment she was feeling happy, but then she realized, that it's not what she was looking for. I think that we can't lie ourselves forever.
I also very liked the White Bear episode. What do you think about this kind of resocialization?
Yes, you're right - you never know what it's gonna be and that's terrifying.
I think, that people are just not aware of danger.
Thank you for your opinion!
I don't think Balck Mirror aims to warn someone, because some of episodes are so futuristic that it's hard to believe it might be our real life someday. On the other hand I found really realistic and trendy topic in one episode when a woman was trying to get some kind of likes from people. It's so true and it is our life now.
As to robots that could kill people, this week we have another presentation "The dark side of robotics". And there is a video with the anticipated outcome of creating robots-killers. That presentation, then this. I'm afraid now.
Have you seen the last season? If yes, is it good? Because I've heard once, that it's worse than the previous ones.
I think the series has the effect you're talking about, they are not as unreal as they seem. It just takes to look at Sci-Fi movies from 20-30 years ago to see what things were unbelievable back then but are reality now. The ideas from the series may not be as distant as they seem.
Yeah, that episode was kinda funny, but on the other hand it was terrifying and I totally agree with you - it's so our life now.
Thanks for your comment!
Yes, I've seen all of the episodes and I liked it. I wouldn't say that they are worse than the previous ones. Maybe some of them are just different, but still it's worth to watch them.
Thanks for your comment! :)
I remember this eposide... It's the first one of the second season if I'm not wrong. If you were given an opportunity to bring back somebody you love in the same way as in Black Mirror, would you do that?
Yes, San Junipero was great too.
Right? I couldn't summarize it better than you :). Totally agree with your answer.
Thanks for comment!
I can't really decide which episode was my favourite, but the topics which seemed to interest me the most focus on extending our senses and how could it be abused (blurring out the vision, banning other people.) That's pretty disturbing.
To begin with, I don't think that all of the people are aware of this series purpose. That's not necessary though, since it only needs to be noticed by some of the people. I'm sure it is, it's one of the most popular netflix series.
I think that films have better impact on our life than computer games. I will be able to answer this question when I will watch it :) Thank you for your presentation.
I don't think that it can somehow affect people's actions in future. In most episodes you can see a main thought behind the plot, that shows, maybe a little overstated, but precise side of our lifes and why wesould be aware about it.
If you enjoy Black Mirror, I suggest you to watch another TV series called Twilight Zone.
I dont think that Black mirror is about making people aware of danger but maybe...
Yes, I totally agree with you.
Thank you for your comment!
I think it did. Black Mirror have triggered a lot of discussions in the Internet and I'm sure it's going to keep doing that for a long time.
It's Arkangel episode, isn't it? ;) It's one of my favorites.
I see your point and I agree with you.
Thanks for your comment Jakub!
Not sure if the intended effect of Black Mirror was achieved. Some people like it and that's it, others stop and think what are the consequences and risks attached to developing or already available technologies.
That's an interesting observation. I think you're right, because more people are watching movies/TV series than playing games(Netflix power :D).
Have fun watching it!
Thank you very much for your comment.
Right? Even some simple things like covering our notebooks cameras ;).
Thank you for your comment!
Thank you for your recommendation, I'll check it.
Thanks for comment!
I see your point, but what about "Men Against Fire"? Could you imagine using that chip by military in real life? Maybe it's a little bit too much, but you never know...
Getting back to the topic of the series - If you skip over the plot holes it can serve as a warning of how technology can affect us but shouldn't be taken too seriously.
It's "Shut up and dance" episode and it's absolutely amazing. Haha, so Black Mirror has the intented effect. I think that this episode is a perfect example to show us, that we are not safe in the Internet.
Remember to cover your notebook camera!
Thanks for comment ;).
Maybe you'll change your mind?
There are few examples, which show us, that we are not completly save(especially in the Internet).
Thanks for your opinion.
Thank you for your opinion.
I'm sure it will ;).
Thank you very much for your opinion!
You know, even if only the half of watching people will think about the consequences - it's still good ;).
Thank you for your comment!
Representation of capitalist system? Yea, good point!
I respect your beliefs :).
Thank you very much!
Okay, I understand your opinion.
Thank you very much for your comment :).
Yes, I can agree with that :).
Thank you very much.
You wouldn't be disappointed.
Of course there is a possibility, that people wouldn't draw a conclusion from watched movie, unfortunatelly.
Thank you for your comment.
I don’t know if Black Mirror managed to make most people aware of danger, but it sure did make me.
Glad to hear that :).
Thank you very much for your comment.
That episode with prime minister was cruel... Funny thing is, that it's the first episode of the series :D. I watched it with my parents and we were sitting in silence for 5 minutes after it ends.
Thanks for comment, Jakub!
What can I say - I ensure you, that it's the one and only hideous episode in the whole series.
I think you should give it a chance ;).
Thank you very much for your comment, Zygmunt.
Great to hear that :). I often talk with my friends about it too.
Thanks for your comment!
You know, maybe when you'll find some free time and watch it, you'll change your mind.
Thanks for comment.