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‘Black Mirror’ Finds Terror, and Soul, in the Machine

nytimes.com

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Re: ‘Black Mirror’ Finds Terror, and Soul, in the Machine

#91

Post by alecco »

acconrad wrote: post #44
danso wrote: post #4

I've only watched 3 of the episodes (Playtest, Shut Up and Dance, and Hated in the Nation)...I've heard the other 3 episodes were better, but the 3 that I have watched seemed subpar compared to the previous 2 seasons. Not terrible as far as overall TV goes, but after the plot thrills were over, they just didn't leave the same queasiness-about-possible-future-dystopia that "White Bear", "White Christmas", "Entire Hist…

San Junipero was nice in that it was the only episode in the season that wasn't completely dystopian, I won't give it away any more than that. Personally, Shut Up and Dance was my favorite episode, as it was on the level of White Bear as being so insanely messed up. Also one of my favorite albums is OK Computer by Radiohead, so when Exit Music (For a Film) played, just wow.

That one was the worst. Not well thought out plot.

Re: ‘Black Mirror’ Finds Terror, and Soul, in the Machine

#92

Post by n4r9 »

m_mueller wrote: post #9

Black Mirror often takes little details that we add in software, like a rating system, and takes them to their extreme and logical conclusion. Its premises are mostly sci-fi, but as thought experiments on how what we do could lead to a severe dystopia, it is superbly engaging. I recommend watching no more than one episode per day - I've been thinking about its topics quite a lot recently. At the least, it's refreshin…

> I recommend watching no more than one episode per day

In addition, I recommend avoiding watching an episode just before you go to sleep.

Re: ‘Black Mirror’ Finds Terror, and Soul, in the Machine

#93

Post by n4r9 »

stinos wrote: post #55
danso wrote: post #4

I've only watched 3 of the episodes (Playtest, Shut Up and Dance, and Hated in the Nation)...I've heard the other 3 episodes were better, but the 3 that I have watched seemed subpar compared to the previous 2 seasons. Not terrible as far as overall TV goes, but after the plot thrills were over, they just didn't leave the same queasiness-about-possible-future-dystopia that "White Bear", "White Christmas", "Entire Hist…

> they just didn't leave the same queasiness-about-possible-future-dystopia Actually for me they do. Maybe I'm more sensitive to this than others but I've seen the first two and both left me rather disoriented, alomst detached from reality, the first minutes after watching them. I only reach such a state through brilliant (from my point of view, I guess) film or music, or by using drugs. So: no complaints here :] E.g…

I don't see why a lack of queasiness is a reason for disliking an episode in the first place. This season is more nuanced, and explores worlds in which the characters are in varying degrees of rebellion against social mores.

Re: ‘Black Mirror’ Finds Terror, and Soul, in the Machine

#94

Post by croon »

srum wrote: post #72
madaxe_again wrote: post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've known about sesame since last year at least - it's getting more attention now but it was definitely public knowledge when this series would have been at the writing stage. It's an idea from sci-fi - I can't remember who wrote what, but there was a society where citizens got more or fewer votes depending on their behaviour (edit: Alastair Reynolds? Banks? Feels like it was one of them.), and knew each other's sco…

Don't forget Community! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3278596/

and It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3765158/

Re: ‘Black Mirror’ Finds Terror, and Soul, in the Machine

#95

Post by gkanai »

rbanffy wrote: post #70
stinos wrote: post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> they just didn't leave the same queasiness-about-possible-future-dystopia Actually for me they do. Maybe I'm more sensitive to this than others but I've seen the first two and both left me rather disoriented, alomst detached from reality, the first minutes after watching them. I only reach such a state through brilliant (from my point of view, I guess) film or music, or by using drugs. So: no complaints here :] E.g…

Watching the first one I joked about how a horror movie can be done with only beautiful people with perfect hair talking politely and dressed in pastels.

Have you seen The Prisoner? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Village_(The_Prisoner)

Re: ‘Black Mirror’ Finds Terror, and Soul, in the Machine

#96

Post by bambax »

bambax wrote: post #73
ben_jones wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've watched the first episode and had some existential questions pop up while on a walk today. Isn't that end-all rating system, like you mention, the final form of many companies like Facebook or Instagram? When the value generated on the platform grows beyond its platform to other important parts of society. I think this is only just starting to happen, like Air BnB's usage of Facebook profiles as host validation,…

Uber is exactly like that... or HN, where "positivity" is effectively enforced and swearing triggers immediate action from the comments police https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12708612

The parent comment apparently started a nosedive...

Re: ‘Black Mirror’ Finds Terror, and Soul, in the Machine

#97

Post by calsy »

Ntrails wrote: post #51
m_mueller wrote: post #9

Black Mirror often takes little details that we add in software, like a rating system, and takes them to their extreme and logical conclusion. Its premises are mostly sci-fi, but as thought experiments on how what we do could lead to a severe dystopia, it is superbly engaging. I recommend watching no more than one episode per day - I've been thinking about its topics quite a lot recently. At the least, it's refreshin…

I was so nervous when I saw they were being done with Netflix and in a massive season of six episodes. I actually don't think there was a truly weak episode in the bunch. Literally my only complaint was the stupid little explanation taglines Netflix shoved in my face meaning I didn't get to go into most of them completely free of expectation. Charlie Brooker man, what a guy.

Whats wrong with Netflix? They are one of the few publishers creating large amounts of content specifically for mature audiences. Their revenue model is not based on advertising so they are free to create quality content rather than content that will simply appeal to the most people.

Re: ‘Black Mirror’ Finds Terror, and Soul, in the Machine

#98

Post by worldsayshi »

Mao_Zedang wrote: post #21
lozf wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I was really sad at how short season 3 was Huh? It's already 6 episodes, compared to the first two seasons that were just 3 episodes each, not including the one-off "White Christmas" special. The runtime of the season 3 episodes are longer too.

Short compared to other shows, not short compared to its previous format designed for time slot tv.

Having such anthology format is probably more costly since you can re-use very little in between episodes.

Re: ‘Black Mirror’ Finds Terror, and Soul, in the Machine

#99

Post by slouch »

ben_jones wrote: post #18
m_mueller wrote: post #9

Black Mirror often takes little details that we add in software, like a rating system, and takes them to their extreme and logical conclusion. Its premises are mostly sci-fi, but as thought experiments on how what we do could lead to a severe dystopia, it is superbly engaging. I recommend watching no more than one episode per day - I've been thinking about its topics quite a lot recently. At the least, it's refreshin…

I've watched the first episode and had some existential questions pop up while on a walk today. Isn't that end-all rating system, like you mention, the final form of many companies like Facebook or Instagram? When the value generated on the platform grows beyond its platform to other important parts of society. I think this is only just starting to happen, like Air BnB's usage of Facebook profiles as host validation,…

Is Klout still a thing?

Re: ‘Black Mirror’ Finds Terror, and Soul, in the Machine

#100

Post by saint_fiasco »

nhaehnle wrote: post #77
rbanffy wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Money is absolutely useless by itself. It's our collective agreement that it has value that gives it value.

That's not quite true. Money has value because a lot of the demand for it is enforced by law (taxes and repayment of debts). Those act as a real anchor for its value beyond collective agreement.

Laws and debts are collective agreements too.
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