"Black Mirror" And The Future Of Technology | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

"Black Mirror" And The Future Of Technology

The 21st century is nothing like what Disney Channel originally predicted...yet.

404
"Black Mirror" And The Future Of Technology
https://az616578.vo.msecnd.net/files/2018/02/23/6365500036324874251145240245_Future.jpeg

Every time I think about what the world will look like in the distant future, my mind always travels back to that Disney Channel original movie, "Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century." I remember watching that movie when I was younger and always being so excited to grow up because I thought that was how I would be living.

Unfortunately, that isn't at all how the future turned out to be. The good thing is that I still get to look forward to some crazy new inventions in the coming decades. The bad news is that projecting into the future tends to just bring a sense sadness or foreboding.

"Black Mirror" is a Netflix Original show and recently just released its fourth season. This show follows a different story every episode with new characters, places and new technologies. One theme stays the same throughout, however; as great as the technology may seem at face-value, it can and will go wrong.

If you've seen episodes of "Black Mirror," you know exactly what to expect by now. If not, good luck convincing yourself to watch it after the first episode.

A couple months ago, after I had finally gotten through season three, I started to wonder why the future was portrayed to seem so bleak. Why is it that technology--something we currently hold with such high esteem--is ruining our lives?

For many of us, we look forward to the future bringing technologies that might look something like this:

Wouldn't it be so much easier if your work was all out in front of you at once in mid-air?

Exactly what kinds of technology does "Black Mirror" discuss? Well, there are chips inserted into your brain that allow parents, friends or any other loved ones to watch you all day long through your eyes.

"Black Mirror" also show a brand new way to work that involves running on a treadmill all day, every day to earn points. You spend these points to buy food, skip ads on TV and when you accumulate enough, you can even go on a talent show to try and get a real job.

What if you could actually block the people with whom you no longer want to communicate? Doing this means their figure in real life will turn grey and pixellated. You wouldn't be able to see or hear them ever again. Who, if anyone, would you block? This is one of the more frightening "Black Mirror" technologies.

Now, maybe all this technology isn't in our future, but similar technology is. In fact, Japan already uses robots to take care of their elderly family members.

Something that we may actually have to look for in the future is the idea of growing organs in laboratories. Scientists have already had success growing sheep embryos with human cells in the preliminary research toward organogenesis within animals' bodies. Organs aren't 3D-printed or grown in a petri dish; rather, they are grown inside another species for removal and transplant once they have developed. Of course, there is always the possibility that the organ would be rejected within the human's immune system. This is being made less likely, however, with human-specific cells grown within these animals.

As amazing as this breakthrough may be, it makes me a bit uneasy.

Our future is going to come with many different advancements, many of them in the field of biology and medicine. I don't know how long it's going to be before we start injecting metal chips into our brains, but hopefully, those "advancements" are a long way off. Some say we may be connected to the internet through brain implants as early as 2020; I, however, am hoping that this technology never becomes a part of our society.

The future we are heading into may frighten or excite you...or maybe you just don't care and you're willing to "go with the flow." No matter how you feel, it is important not to exaggerate what is in store for all of us, especially considering that we all thought we would be flying around in hovercrafts to floating buildings by now.

Whatever awaits us in the coming years, we can all rest assured it will be exciting to experience.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Taylor Swift in orange dress playing a moss-covered piano on stage with bright lights.

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

A Few Thoughts Every College Freshman Has

The transition into adulthood is never easy

23567
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
Students walking on a sunny college campus with trees and buildings.

"Make sure to get involved when you're in college!"

We've all heard some variation of this phrase, whether it came from parents, other family members, friends, RAs, or college-related articles. And, like many clichés, it's true for the most part. Getting involved during your college years can help you make friends, build your resume, and feel connected to your campus. However, these commitments can get stressful if you're dealing with personal issues, need to work, or aren't sure how to balance classes and everything else going on during the semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

9844
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Power of Dressing Up

Why it pays to leave the hoodie at home.

7132
sneakers and heels
Sister | Brother Style - Word Press

For a moment your world is spinning. The phone alarm has just scared you awake and you’re flooded by daunting thoughts of the day ahead. You have three assignments due and little time to work on them because of your job. You’re running late because you’ve hit snooze one to many times after yesterday’s long hours. You dizzily reach for a hoodie, craving its comfort, and rush for a speedy exit, praying you will have time to pick up coffee. Does this sound familiar?

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments