Black Mirror: why this title?

They could have chosen a more apt title. Maybe something snazzy even. But why Black Mirror? Why a title so simple? They could have taken something like “The matrix” or “Ghost in the shell” and made a title referencing those. Maybe a title referencing “1984”, or any work by Philip K. Dick. Why did they use a scrying mirror, but it’s more common name, as their title?

Because they show us an alternate future, a future ingrained in the things we do now, the things we are researching now, so they show us the future we are headed towards.

Some things in Black Mirror already became a reality. In China they are using a system based on popularity as a form of currency, obviously there is the reference to the pig scandal with the real former British Prime Minister, although because of very different reasons. There is the caricature of Waldo and American government now.

Black Mirror is showing us a future. A future that we are headed towards with the technology we have today. A future that doesn’t look like it’s making us any happier. Although, some of the episodes have a more bright future, most of them are indeed, black.

Most people don’t like being confronted with such a bleak view of the future and would opt for something happier, something more optimistic. This show obviously isn’t for them. This show is for those that like to look at the future and look at the implications our choices of today have on that future. Thintelligence is not an option here. This is how the chess game of real life plays out. You make choices now and they are reflected to you back when you least expect it.

The same is what Black Mirror is showing us. We look at the future as it is presented there and see the impllications of technology we invent now. How the technology in the future might infect us then. This is what “Our final invention” tries to warn us from.

As you might notice, I am not an optimistic person. I have a depression disorder. Although I continue on living, I don’t see any hopes for a good future for all of humanity. This is what Black Mirror shows you. I don’t think you can live a life without depression if you think about it enough, on a wide enough level.

Black Mirror doesn’t go away and paint a pretty picture. It shows us human nature, in all it’s colours. Although there isn’t an episode yet focused on disability, there are dark episodes, and those make you think just a tad bit harder.

Next in the series, I will be talking episode per episode and the ideas explored within and my view on these ideas.

Every post is written first in scrivener 3, which you can get a 30 day free trial of here at literature and latte.

Een gedachte over “Black Mirror: why this title?

  • 04/02/2018 om 05:56
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    “This show is for those that like to look at the future and look at the implications our choices of today have on that future. Thintelligence is not an option here. This is how the chess game of real life plays out. You make choices now and they are reflected to you back when you least expect it.

    The same is what Black Mirror is showing us. We look at the future as it is presented there and see the impllications of technology we invent now. How the technology in the future might infect us then. This is what “Our final invention” tries to warn us from.

    As you might notice, I am not an optimistic person. I have a depression disorder. Although I continue on living, I don’t see any hopes for a good future for all of humanity. This is what Black Mirror shows you. I don’t think you can live a life without depression if you think about it enough, on a wide enough level.

    Black Mirror doesn’t go away and paint a pretty picture. It shows us human nature, in all it’s colours. Although there isn’t an episode yet focused on disability, there are dark episodes, and those make you think just a tad bit harder.”

    Looking at the future realistically is important!

    I think Black Mirror is a little bit witchy, a little bit techy.

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