Black Mirror's Dystopian Futures: Are We Living Them Now? - Part 1
reading time
5
min
Jul 17, 2024
Introduction
"Black Mirror" is a popular TV series that explores the social and personal impact of advanced technology. The title of this article might seem a bit alarmist, and don't get me wrong—I’m a huge fan. But when I first started watching "Black Mirror," the episodes felt like they were set in a distant, dystopian future.
Years have passed since the first season aired, however, and technology kept evolving. Nowadays, it’s not uncommon to find real-life use cases that could be straight out of the show. I always thought it would be interesting to make a list and see which technologies depicted in the episodes have been realized (or about to be) and are available to people.
That’s what led me to write this. Below I go over some examples of technologies featured in the series, with a comparison between the fictional applications and their real-life counterparts, including companies and software that have implemented similar innovations. After reading the article, I invite you to draw your own conclusions as to whether it’s all a natural byproduct of progress or we should be more apprehensive about it…
Use Case #1: "San Junipero" - Virtual and Augmented Reality
In The Show:
• "San Junipero": People can upload their consciousness to a virtual reality where they live eternally, experiencing a simulated, idealized world. In essence, this technology offers a form of digital afterlife, allowing individuals to escape physical limitations and live out their fantasies.
In Real Life:
• XR Health: This platform uses virtual reality to treat various mental health issues, including phobias, anxiety, and PTSD. By exposing patients to controlled virtual environments, therapists can help them confront and manage their fears in a safe and effective manner.
• Second Life: An online virtual world where users create avatars and live virtual lives, engaging in activities ranging from socializing to running virtual businesses. It reflects the concept of an alternate digital existence, much like the simulated paradise of "San Junipero."
Statistics
• Market Growth: The global virtual reality (VR) market is projected to reach $34.08 billion by 2023, up from $8.90 billion in 2018 (MarketsandMarkets).
• Familiarity and Usage: 78% of Americans are familiar with VR technology, and 41% of adults say they would try it if given the opportunity (KommandoTech).
• Investments: In 2020, $18.8 billion was invested in the augmented reality (AR) industry, a 78.5% increase compared to 2019 (DataProt).
Use Case #2: "Nosedive" - Social Media and Digital Reputation
In The Show:
• "Nosedive": Society operates on a pervasive social rating system where people rate each other based on every interaction, influencing their socioeconomic status. High ratings lead to privileges and opportunities, while low ratings result in social ostracism and restrictions.
In Real Life:
• Social Credit Systems: China's Social Credit System initiative rates citizens based on their behavior, including financial trustworthiness, adherence to laws, and social interactions. High scores can result in rewards like access to loans and priority for jobs, while low scores can lead to travel restrictions and public shaming. This system is a direct parallel to the fictional rating system in "Nosedive," highlighting both the potential benefits and the significant ethical concerns.
Impact of the Social Credit System
• Behavior Modification: Approximately 73% of social media users in China reported modifying their online behavior due to the Social Credit System, avoiding negative comments or controversial topics to maintain a high score (Pew Research Center).
• Penalties and Restrictions: In 2020, over 6.7 million Chinese citizens faced travel restrictions due to low social credit scores, which were influenced by their social media activities (National Public Credit Information Center).
• Public Perception: Surveys indicate that 54% of Chinese social media users believe the Social Credit System has improved online behavior and reduced misinformation, while 30% express concerns about privacy and freedom of expression (China Youth Daily).
Use Case #3: "The Entire History of You" - Memory Implants and Reality Enhancements
In The Show:
"The Entire History of You": People have implants that record everything they see and hear, allowing them to rewatch memories and experiences at will.
In Real Life:
• Neuralink: Founded by Elon Musk, Neuralink is developing advanced brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) that could potentially enhance human memory and cognitive abilities. Their goal is to create devices that can record and stimulate brain activity, paving the way for future applications where memories could be stored and replayed.
• Google Glass: Though not an implant, Google Glass is a wearable device that allows users to capture video and audio from a first-person perspective. This technology can be used to record daily activities and experiences, much like the memory implants in the series. Although initially hailed as the next big thing in tech, by 2022 Google Glass was viewed as a failure. The product itself no longer exists, but its technology has influenced and lived on in future products.
Use Case #4: "Be Right Back" Artificial Intelligence and Digital Clones
In The Show:
"Be Right Back" After her partner dies, a woman uses an AI service to communicate with a digital clone of him, based on his past online interactions.
In Real Life:
• Sophia by Hanson Robotics: Sophia is a social humanoid robot developed by Hanson Robotics. She can mimic human facial expressions, engage in conversation, and learn from interactions. While not a clone of a specific individual, Sophia represents significant advances in creating robots that simulate human behavior and interaction.
• Geminoid by Hiroshi Ishiguro Laboratories: Geminoid robots are designed to look exactly like their human counterparts. These robots can mimic facial expressions and gestures, making them highly realistic. They have been used in research to study human-robot interaction and the uncanny valley effect.
Use Case #5: "Hated in the Nation” - Surveillance Technology and Drones
In The Show:
• "Hated in the Nation": Autonomous robotic bees, initially designed to pollinate flowers, are repurposed by a hacker to track and kill individuals targeted by social media mobs. The episode explores the dark side of surveillance technology and the potential for misuse.
In Real Life:
• Predator Drones: Used by the military for surveillance and targeted strikes. These drones can carry out reconnaissance missions and launch missiles, raising ethical concerns about remote warfare and civilian casualties.
• Clearview AI: This company has developed a powerful facial recognition tool that scrapes images from social media and other websites to create a massive database. Law enforcement agencies use Clearview AI to identify suspects by comparing surveillance footage to this database. While effective, it raises significant privacy and ethical concerns.
Statistics:
• Drones Predator: Since their introduction, Predator drones have been used in over 10,000 combat missions and have launched more than 300 missiles (MarketsandMarkets).
• Clearview AI: Law Enforcement Usage: The technology has been used by more than 600 law enforcement agencies in the United States (DataProt).
